Demand for change: What you need to know Thursday

Health experts are asking Congress to do more to help older Black and Latino adults during the pandemic.

Data from health care experts and health organizations shows that Blacks and Latinos are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than Whites.

Samantha Manning, Cox Media Group Washington Bureau, reports that lawmakers and health experts point to limited access to health care and higher rates of chronic health conditions among minorities.

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Medical experts have called for more funding and outreach in those vulnerable communities.

“Provide robust funding for the improvement and development of health care infrastructure including hospitals in medically under served communities,” Dr. Dominick Mack, Morehouse School of Medicine said this week.

Dr. Mercedes Carnethon, professor of epidemiology, Northwestern University, said, “Without building a rapport or trust in these communities, there’s no guarantee that the highest risk population will get the vaccine or that they even want the vaccine.”

Sen. Bob Casey, D- Pennsylvania, said, “We have a chance right now in the next three weeks to begin to address these injustices.”

Congress now is working on putting together another round of relief aid meant to help those affected by the pandemic.

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Things you should know in the demand for change following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police:

• The Use of Force Working Group of the City of Dayton police reform initiative will meet today, 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting may be viewed live at daytonohio.gov/govtv. For more on the initiative, go to daytonohio.gov/policereform.
• Law enforcement officers from across Miami Valley took part in the “Racial Intelligence Training & Engagement” course to promote change within their agencies. Middletown Police Chief David Birk said opening up the two-day course for other agencies was important because they focus on fixing problems and rebuilding community relations.
• Four Cincinnati Reds players knelt during the national anthem before Tuesday night’s exhibition game at Great American Ball Park. Among the players kneeling in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement were star first baseman Joey Votto, our news partner WCPO reports. Votto, an outspoken supporter of Black Lives Matter, told the Associated Press this month, “I think I’ve changed as a man. I feel my perspective has changed. I didn’t want to (speak up), but I couldn’t sleep. There was a long stretch where I couldn’t sleep. When it affects me that deeply, I felt strongly about saying something and learning. Every day I’m trying to learn.” The Reds begin the MLB season against the Tigers on Friday at 6:10 p.m.

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Other things you should know today as part of the demand for change:

• Philly SWAT officer charged with assault for pepper-spraying protesters
• Ex-officer accused in killing of George Floyd accused in tax case
• MLB to allow Black Lives Matter, social justice patches on uniforms

Cox Media Group