1/ How do the drastic racial disparities in #COVID19 deaths relate to the lack of collective will to prioritize American’s public safety? The answer is as sobering as it is obvious: to many politicians & businesspeople Black Lives Don’t Matter, not as much as we should
2/ I couldnt figure out how sheltering in place & wearing masks was controversial in Michigan back in April until a friend fr Grand Rapids explained the common view that it was a “Detroit Problem” ... then I looked at the death rate by race & discovered what that really meant 
3/ I was equally puzzled behind the strange move of a Governor Kemp to sue ATL mayor @KeishaBottoms for mandating masks when the cases of #COVID19 were skyrocketing in GA then I saw Black ppl were almost 2x more likely to die in his state.
4/ Additionally, it was confusing why Arizona was emphasizing reopening businesses while #COVID19 spread. Then I saw the tragic & eye popping numbers of indigenous people dying 5x higher than the rest of the population. These trends are distressing & consistent ...
5/ In NY, PA & all over, systemic racism is combining with #COVID19 to kill BIPOC at alarming rates & we are faced with a sobering truth. There is a reason why USA is the outlier in global pandemic rates, why basic protective steps like masks & social distancing is controversial
6/ The numbers dont lie. Why is the USA losing #COVID19 fight while politicos reject safety measures? Black & Brown lives simply dont matter as much to those in charge as the lives of others matter to their leaders in their nations. It doesnt move hearts & minds the same way here
7/ Which is why the crack epidemic was treated as a criminal issue but opioids was treated as a health crisis ... ironically with more state & federal leadership than the worst pandemic we’ve ever seen. This is why we champion #BlackLivesMatter
8/8 In the face of such immoral, unjust, criminal neglect, we must proclaim what many leaders won’t: our bodies matter more than businesses slowed by protocols or dislike of masks. We have divine value & will fight for our right to survive. We matter to us & that’s enough!
@threadreaderapp unroll
