In the state of Mississippi, the highest death toll has been amongst minority groups. Specifically, amongst African-Americans and Latinos. But in recent months, the death toll has reached its highest amongst white people in the state of Mississippi. According to CNN News, the death toll amongst whites became the highest in October, while black deaths became the second highest. This is a great difference because at the beginning of the pandemic Black Mississippians accounted for about 60% of COVID-19 deaths and cases.
There could be many reasons for this but state officials of Mississippi say that while many minority groups have started to social distance more and maintain mask wearing, white Mississippians have not been paying as much attention to safety protocols.
“As far as the case trends, we have had really pretty good uptake by a lot of folks in the Black community with masking and social distancing,” state health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs told CNN reporters in October. He said that he noticed more COVID outbreaks amongst the counties with a majority of white people.
“It may well be we’ve found a pretty receptive audience in the African American community, and it may well be because they were hit so hard and have personal experience. But we’re not having the same success we’ve seen with other segments of the population.” Dobbs said in regards to the Black community of Mississippi.
I would like to use this research and analyze why COVID-19 is increasing amongst white people in Mississippi. I’d like to interview health experts and professors from Mississippi on mask wearing, social distancing, and the habits of white communities in this state and contrast it with minority communities. I’d like to see why the highest deaths and cases have switched to the white population. I’d also like to see if this has anything to do with their political affiliation, and their trust or distrust of Governor Tate Reeves.
Sources:
Girmay Berhie, dean of Jackson State University’s College of Health Sciences and School of Public Health
Doctor Thomas Dobbs, State Health Officer of Mississippi
Mississippi State Health Department, msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/14,0,420.html
cnn.com/2020/10/23/health/mississippi-coronavirus/index.html
mississippitoday.org/2020/04/08/black-mississippians-at-greater-risk-72-of-deaths-56-of-states-covid-19-cases/