RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus implores Governor Raimondo to release COVID-19 data on minorities

STATE HOUSE – The Rhode Island Legislative Black and Latino Caucus is imploring Governor Raimondo and Department of Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott to release data on how the COVID-19 virus is disproportionately affecting Rhode Island’s minority communities. Currently, no data has been released by the administration showing how the virus is affecting different groups of Rhode Islanders.

“We are seeing across the country that COVID-19 is hitting minority communities particularly hard compared to other racial groups. We are asking Governor Raimondo and Dr. Alexander-Scott to release the data on how this virus is affecting Rhode Island’s minority residents so that we may develop a course of action on how to stop its spread and effectively treat those affected by the virus. Whether this is due to economic factors, lack of medical resources, non-access to proper nutrition, or underlying conditions that affect minority communities more than others, it is becoming clear that COVID-19 is ravaging minorities more than any other group. The public and its leaders need this data in order to stop this troubling pattern and this is why we are urging Governor Raimondo and Dr. Alexander-Scott to release this important data so that we have the whole picture of the impact of COVID-19, particularly on Rhode Island’s minority residents,” said Rep. Jean Philippe Barros (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), Chairman of the RI Legislative Black and Latino Caucus.

The member of the caucus are Representative Barros; Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown); Rep. Joseph S. Almeida (D-Dist. 12, Providence); Rep. Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket); Rep. Lianna Cassar (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence); Rep. Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence); Rep. Raymond Hull (D-Dist. 6, Providence, North Providence); Rep. Mario Mendez (D-Dist. 13, Providence, Johnston); Rep. Marcia Ranglin-Vassell (D-Dist. 5, Providence); Rep. Carlos Tobon (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket); Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence); Sen. Sandra Cano (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket); Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence); and Sen. Ana Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence).