Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., claimed black people have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic because of the “comorbidities of structural racism,” including “transportation deserts” and “foot apartheid systems.”
.@AyannaPressley: Covid disproportionately impacting black Americans because of “the comorbidities of structural racism … because of transportation deserts and food apartheid systems” pic.twitter.com/GJfRmArLUO
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) December 11, 2020
Pressley, one of the members of the congressional “Squad,” made the comments during an interview with MSNBC, in which she argued black Americans should be the first to receive the coronavirus vaccine.
“The coronavirus is the third leading cause of death for black Americans,” she said. “So, the most vulnerable and marginalized communities because of the comorbidities of structural racism, because of unequal access to healthcare, because of transportation deserts and food apartheid systems have been the most vulnerable to contracting this virus.”
Data proves that black Americans are more likely to contract the coronavirus, but there are several studies that could explain why, presenting scientific evidence that contradicts Pressley’s baseless claims.
One such study found that a Vitamin D deficiency, which is more likely the darker your skin pigment is, raises the COVID-19 infection risk by 77%.
Another study found that comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity also make contracting the coronavirus more likely.
Conservatives were quick to slam Pressley’s comments.
Food apartheid systems?
You mean if you live near a Whole Foods you can’t get COVID https://t.co/hT2E0GKTcf
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) December 12, 2020
Problems all created by delusional Democrats like Pressley. https://t.co/Ct8iDmgRrC
— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) December 12, 2020
It’s my fault and my family’s fault because of our skin color according to the blatant racist @AyannaPressley. https://t.co/kXEBs5tzo0
— Will Ricciardella (@WillRicci) December 12, 2020
