Thread by @ashtonpittman

NEW: White Mississippians are now the primary drivers of #COVID19 infections & deaths.

It's a stunning reversal. Early on in the pandemic, Black Mississippians accounted for ~60-70% of cases & deaths.

Now, cases are growing 2x as fast among white people.
mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

“In the first wave, Black and Brown people, including Choctaw people, bore the brunt of this pandemic. But ever since mid-summer, Black and Brown and Choctaw people stepped up. ... So now it’s time for white people in Mississippi to step up." mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

Today, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs told me that "big parts of the white community" have not been as "compliant" in masking and social distancing.

"We have had pretty good uptake by a lot of folks in the Black community," he said. mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

Dr. Douglas Chambers: “White people are driving the COVID pandemic in Mississippi. They have been since June, but especially in the past six weeks. There appears to be a ‘white folks problem’ in Mississippi."
mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

Most Mississippi voters required to vote in person on Election Day—with no mask requirements.

Chambers: “By then, we’ll be smack in the middle of the 2nd wave. And since white people are driving the pandemic, they’re going to suffer disproportionately."
mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

Dr. Chambers: "Mississippi owes Black and Brown & Choctaw people a debt of gratitude, because if they had not done so, it’s very likely that our total caseload would be double. Right now we would be talking about 200,000 confirmed cases" & "6,000 deaths." mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

Increases in total #COVID19 cases in Mississippi yesterday:

Overall: +1.2%
White: +1.6%
Black: +0.9%
mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said he was surprised that so many Mississippians quickly "abandoned" wearing masks after Gov. @TateReeves ended the mandate two weeks ago.

"Frankly, I'm disappointed," @TCBPubHealth said today.
mississippifreepress.org/6219/white-mis…

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