Last month the PW Perspective reported on how half of the deaths in Prince William County due to COVID-19 were black.

Yesterday a group of leaders came together via Zoom to address the problems in underreported cases for minorities in Virginia. It was hosted by Laura Jimenez, Director of Latino Engagement for Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden and Trey Baker, Director of African American Engagement.

In addition, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and State Senator Louise Lucas were in attendance as well as Delegates Jennifer Carroll Foy and Elizabeth Guzman.

Guzman said that when it comes to Latino families, “they have to choose between their health and a paycheck. It’s not fair.”

Foy stated that “Our goal is to bring awareness and demand transparency for a lack of underreported data in Black and Hispanic communities.”

She also notes how the majority of service & retail workers are minorities and are more likely to be exposed to the symptoms of COVID-19.

As for undocumented immigrants, who are already challenged with fears of deportation, the opportunities to be tested are even worse. “Some hospitals are demanding proof of citizenship for undocumented immigrants,” said Foy. “In some cases, the testing is not in Spanish for those who speak English as a second language.”

Regarding hospitalization of COVID-19 cases in Virginia, 25.7% are Latino while 51.1% are black.

Guzman stated that regarding the importance of making the silenced minorities voices heard, “This is the election of our lives; we must speak to as many people as possible and get them registered to vote.”

While the numbers of hospitalized patients may be decreasing, this can create a potentially dangerous situation with underreporting among Black and Latino populations. Due to the lack of resources in their communities, whenever they face an issue of this magnitude, it becomes more exacerbated. As Delegate Foy said, “When the country has a cold, minorities have pneumonia.”