CINCINNATI — Across the country, African Americans are being disproportionately affected by COVID-19 compared to white people. And in Ohio that is also true, especially in large metropolitan areas.
Roughly 10% of Cincinnati’s COVID-19 cases can be found in Westwood.
Cincinnati Public Health Medical Director Grant Mussman said the virus is affecting African Americans at a higher rate, the big question is why?
“Well nobody knows for sure exactly, but there are many reasons that are likely,” Mussman said.
Mussman said Cincinnati Public Health is not surprised to see that COVID-19 affects African Americans at a higher rate.
“That’s very consistent with what is being seen nationwide,” Mussman said. “Certainly, nationally, we’ve seen a higher risk for infection and hospitalization in folks of color. So, in that respect, it’s not super surprising to see that in the local data. In fact we were looking for it because it’s something to obviously be concerned about.”
Mussman said some of the reasons why could be explained by socioeconomic disadvantages within the city as well as a lack of access to health care.
“We know these disparities exist, there has been a lot of research on them, and yes, racism is part of the landscape with other health care disparities, but how that is with COVID isn’t clear,” he said.
Here’s how the numbers break down. Cincinnati has 15,690 total coronavirus cases. Of those 6,065 are white, 5,151 are Black and 4,118 are unknown, as of Dec. 18 according to Cincy Insights.
But in Westwood, 47.6% of the cases are Black and 29.4% are white, despite city-data showing slightly more white residents than Black.
Leaving a clear indication that this is one of the most affected communities in the Queen City.
At G’s Perfection Plus Barbershop, Chris Lanton has been cutting hair and trimming beards for 15 years. Lanton said he can clearly see the impact that COVID-19 is having on the community, but thinks the number of cases can be attributed to people tuning out to the messaging that’s being provided about the pandemic.
“I don’t think anybody is worried about COVID as much,” Lanton said. “It’s been going on for so long and I think the people are just a little weary and just kind of giving up on it. And maybe if it happens it happens, and people are just going on about their lives now.”
Lanton also believes the cases are rising in Westwood because Black people don’t have the same access to health care compared to white people.
“We’ve always had that stigma in the community in not going to the doctor, or everything will be OK,” Lanton said. “You know, if you get a sniffle or a cold you just kind of make do. When people in the white community will have access to be able to go to their doctor and have it taken care of — where we might just ride it out.”
Right next door at Emma’s Soul Food Managing Bartender Latosha Williams said her restaurant has seen a big dip in sales since the pandemic began, but is hopeful things can get back on track, but only if people can refocus on staying safe during the pandemic.
“Friends, family, workers, just stay safe, stay safe,” Williams said. “Stay masked up. It doesn’t matter, just keep your distance from people out in public.”
Mussman said the city has been focusing on making sure to provide adequate testing at pop-up locations.
But the messaging moving forward will be very important toward slowing the spread across the city.
“I know this is getting trite at this point, but wearing a mask is incredibly important for preventing the spread to other people,” Mussman said. “Folks who are sick, making sure they are staying home and not going out and about, spreading the virus around and social distancing. Those sorts of messages are very important, we’ve all heard them many, many times, but they are extremely important.”
Mussman said despite the debut of the vaccine in some capacity, he expects virus spread to only get worse before it starts to get better.