More COVID-19 Test Called for in South Florida’s Black Communities

MIAMI – Florida Representative Shevrin “Shev” Jones (D–West Park) is requesting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to consider adding more COVID-19 testing sites in predominantly black communities. Structural inequalities are demonstrating the contrast in how different communities are responding to the crisis.

While some people are fortunate to stay home, many people in the black community work in essential jobs and may find it difficult to stay home, not work, and not receive a paycheck. This puts them at greater risk of exposure and can lead to more fatal outcomes.

Additionally, black people use public transportation on a daily, almost daily, or weekly basis at the greatest rate. These people have greater risk of contracting the virus because they use transportation among other potential carriers of the virus.

Many of them have limited or no access to a car and cannot participate in drive-thru testing sites when they become ill. Thus, people who are most vulnerable to exposure have the least access to accessible testing.

“We need solutions in the black community that go beyond our status quo expectations,” Rep. Jones said. “We can’t expect that what works in one community will work in all, and we need testing sites that are mobile and meet people where they are. This pandemic is shining a greater light on the fact that healthcare has been unaffordable and inaccessible for too many Americans for decades.”

- Advertisement -

 

A Message From Representative Shevrin Jones:

Tallahassee– Today, Representative Shevrin “Shev” Jones (D–West Park) asked Governor DeSantis to consider adding more COVID-19 testing sites in predominantly black communities. Structural inequalities are demonstrating the contrast in how different communities are responding to the crisis.

While some people are fortunate to stay home, many people in the black community work in essential jobs and may find it difficult to stay home, not work, and not receive a paycheck. This puts them at greater risk of exposure and can lead to more fatal outcomes.

Additionally, black people use public transportation on a daily, almost daily, or weekly basis at the greatest rate. These people have greater risk of contracting the virus because they use transportation among other potential carriers of the virus.

Many of them have limited or no access to a car and cannot participate in drive-thru testing sites when they become ill. Thus, people who are most vulnerable to exposure have the least access to accessible testing.

“We need solutions in the black community that go beyond our status quo expectations,” Rep. Jones said. “We can’t expect that what works in one community will work in all, and we need testing sites that are mobile and meet people where they are. This pandemic is shining a greater light on the fact that healthcare has been unaffordable and inaccessible for too many Americans for decades.”

Spread The love

More Stories

US travel ban

US dismisses travel ban reports that include Caribbean nations

The U.S. Department of State has dismissed reports suggesting that a new travel ban could impact multiple countries, including several in the Caribbean. Despite...
Antigua and Barbuda says it will accept nationals deported from the US

Antigua PM faces US scrutiny over Russian megayacht sale

A U.S. federal judge has authorized attorneys representing a Russian woman to access financial records related to the controversial sale of a seized megayacht...
St. Vincent Guyana-Venezuela border

St. Vincent Prime Minister Gonsalves meets Maduro over Guyana-Venezuela border tensions

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has confirmed that Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves traveled to Venezuela to meet with President Nicolás...
Esteban-Bovo

Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo to step down, join family in Washington

Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo has confirmed that he will be stepping down from his position to relocate to Washington, D.C., to be with his...
Broward high school coach

Broward high school basketball coach accused of sexual relationship with minor

A basketball coach at the Nova High School in Broward County was released from jail over the weekend following his arrest on charges related...
Haiti

Armed gangs in Haiti attack three news outlets in coordinated assault

Armed gangs launched coordinated attacks on three major media outlets in Haiti's capital over the weekend, escalating concerns over press freedom and the government's...
Michael Lohan

Michael Lohan, father of Lindsay Lohan, arrested in Palm Beach County

Michael Lohan, father of actress Lindsay Lohan, was arrested in Palm Beach County over the weekend for a probation violation, according to jail records. The...
Yashika Graham )

Jamaican Poet Yashika Graham shortlisted for 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry

Acclaimed Jamaican poet Yashika Graham has earned a coveted spot on the shortlist for the 2025 OCM Bocas Prize for Poetry with her debut...
Capitol Days in Tallahassee

More than 40 BCPS students to attend Capitol Days in Tallahassee

More than 40 high school students from across Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) will travel to Tallahassee from March 18–20, 2025, to take part...
Antigua Barbuda aerial

Antigua and Barbuda’s economy surpasses pre-pandemic levels, driven by tourism

Antigua and Barbuda’s economy continues its post-pandemic rebound, with real output surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2024. Growth was estimated at 4.3%, fueled by a strong...

Latest Articles

Skip to content