Protests and the pandemic

This week in America we have seen that the country is battling two viruses at the same time: coronavirus and racism. As those two issues converge, government leaders and health officials are sharing concerns that while people are raising their voices in protests over the death of George Floyd, there is a risk that coronavirus could spread during those protests. People across the country have taken to the streets to vent their frustrations over the seeming lack of value of the lives of black men. It was the same week the nation crossed the 100,000 mark of deaths from coronavirus. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he expects a sharp increase in cases of Covid-19 in his state, calling it “inevitable." Officials in New York shared that worry. Many officials have said they understand the decision being made by many to come out amid the pandemic to raise their voices about a desire to seek justice. But health experts have also spoken out about the need for masks and other protective measures, in light of racial disparities in the data showing minorities face greater risks from the virus.