The United States Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, has advised African Americans to avoid taking alcohol and tobacco, as part of measures geared towards curbing the Coronavirus pandemic which has claimed more people of colour in the US than whites.
He also advised them to stay at home if possible, maintain 6-feet social distance, wear masks, wash hands as often as possible, call friends and family and avoid drug abuse.
He said this at the White House press briefing , while addressing the black community about the alarming threat of covid-19 on them.
He said that the burden of social ills was also contributing to covid-19 cases amongst African Americans, but added that social distancing helps prevent the spread of the virus.
“People of color are more likely to live in densely packed areas and a multi generational housing which create higher risk for a highly contagious disease like covid-19,” he said.
However, he debunked the view that the people of colour were biologically or genetically predisposed to get #COVIDー19, adding “there is nothing wrong with you.”
He also said that the history of deaths and diseases, which had taken so many lives, must not be allowed to define the future of the nation.
“We are taking steps now, in the midst of the #COVIDー19 pandemic to reach, protect, and strengthen all communities impacted by this disease, and especially our communities of color,” he said.
The U.S. is currently the epicenter of the Coronavirus pandemic.
