Black Lives Matter protests in the Quad-Cities could spark a spread of COVID-19, health officials say. | Stock Photo
Black Lives Matter protests in the Quad-Cities could spark a spread of COVID-19, health officials say. | Stock Photo
Health departments in the Quad-Cities are concerned that while community members are protesting for police reforms and quality that these gatherings may increase the chances of COVID-19 spreading.
“Public health officials, including this one, are concerned that large protests over police brutality across the country could lead to more transmission of the virus,” Rock Island County Department COO Janet Hill told the Dispatch-Argus in June. “We must, however, understand the underlying reason that these protests and the global pandemic share a common denominator — systematic and institutionalized racism... The protests are focused on systematic police violence against people of color, and COVID-19 affects people of color more acutely because of the social determinants of health (for that community). Both are rooted in racism.”
People of color are reportedly more likely to get the coronavirus due to conditions like poverty and lower-incomes, which generally makes it harder to access health care.
Hill also told Dispatch-Argus that the pastor of the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church was concerned for the areas of African-American populations. Rev. P. Wonder Harris told Hill black citizens wearing face masks, for the coronavirus, could be misinterpreted and lead to worse outcomes.
“There are two situations at the same time,” Hill told Dispatch-Argus. “While it is important to continue the social distancing and the washing of hands and everything we have been telling you for three months, the only way we have to control this virus, it’s also very important that people get their very important feelings out. So while they are out protesting, I do hope that they follow our advice the best that they can to keep themselves safe.”
Protesting in itself is also disregarding social distancing, which raises a concern for Scott County Health Department Director Ed Rivers.
“We’re concerned if they are not avoiding the kind of activities that might spread the virus,” Rivers told Dispatch-Argus. “It may be inevitable after the reopening that we have another wave of cases. We were hoping that people are being circumspect and employing that personal responsibility we have been discussing of washing your hands, staying 6 feet from others when you are out-and-about to try and minimize that second wave.”
Alerts Sign-up