U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., emphasized the importance of addressing health disparities in Wyandotte County Wednesday afternoon during a Facebook Live with a Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, Health Department official.
Although black residents make up around 23 percent of Wyandotte County’s population, they represent more than half of the people testing positive for COVID-19, as well as two-thirds of COVID-19-related deaths. Wyandotte County currently has the most confirmed positive cases of coronavirus in the state.
“The data presented by public health officials in Wyandotte County shows a stark reality: black residents are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. While there are complex, systematic issues that absolutely need to be addressed, right now we need to focus on getting as much help to Wyandotte County as possible. This includes increasing access to testing and supplies, supporting Community Health Centers, and expanding Medicaid right away,” Rep. Davids said.
Rep. Davids voted to pass the CARES Act, which provided $100 million for health services through Community Health Centers that support smaller health clinics across the country in under-served urban and rural areas.
To watch the livestream, visit https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=762211897644166&ref=watch_permalink.
Thank you for your service. Please do more to protect the people in nursing homes and assisted living centers. I’m also concerned about the large numbers of workers in the meat processing plants.