Not Yet the Time for Economic Recovery and why has the Afro-Amrican Community been so Hard Hit

Covid19 and the Afro-American Community

Why are Afro Americans contracting Covid19, and dying, in greater numbers than other ethnic groups?   Two reasons, which unfortunately may be based on inaccurate stereotypes and generalizations, but nevertheless, do have some validity, occur to me. 

1.    Social distancing is more difficult in congested housing.  Compare the number of individuals living in a building in an Afro-American neighborhood with the number of individuals living in a similar building in a non Afro-American neighborhood.  Of course, there are exceptions, and some buildings are well-integrated, but as a rule, there are more people living together, as separate families or related to each other, encompassing several generations, in Afro-American housing.  Thus, practicing social distancing is more difficult in these situations.  There are more people in close proximity.

2.    Afro-Americans are also more prone to elevated blood pressure and diabetes, often accompanied by excess weight.  The virus has an easier time attacking people vulnerable because of such medical conditions.  This is probably due to diet, which only individuals and families can change.

But there are larger, more societal, issues involved.   The New York Times’ Charles Blow addresses them.  You must read what he says.  CLICK HERE TO READ HIS WORDS/

JL

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Forget About the Economy.  Battle the Virus

Right now, every effort should be directed to dealing with the virus, and developing a vaccine.  Despite the President’s desires, economic recovery should not even come into the picture until we have a fiirm handle on Cofid19.  Till then, let the markets tumble, businesses at all levels fail and millions of unemployed not know where their next dollar is coming from!  There is no need to rebuild the economy yet when a mutation of Covid19 can destroy it in a month or less.  Of course, the President would like to get the economy rolling, even before Cofid19 is defeated, so he can use that as a part of his re-election campaign

Government should not give or lend a penny to large corporations.  Let them fail.  They all have "reserves." The only government economic acts needed are rental, mortgage payment, credit card interest forgiveness and the issuance of “scrip” in $100 denominations by the government, no questions asked, to anyone below certain current monthly income levels who asks for these benefits.  Such non-transferable “scrip” would be usable only in drug stores and in groceries.

   

If Mnunchin doesn't take this approach, he will figuratively be lynched eventually.  The people cannot be left to starve, especially those without a safety net, generous credit card reserves or a nest egg they could tap.

JL