Police are getting infected by the coronavirus all throughout the nation. Some police forces are getting hit harder than others, and it forces us to ask questions about our interactions with law enforcement. For Black America, this means we have to face a new disturbing reality.
Black people are systematically overpoliced and discriminated against. Since we’re more likely to be targeted by and interact with authorities, we could be facing the increased risk of coming into contact with an infected officer. The numbers we’re seeing speak for themselves.
In New York City, known for “stop-and-frisk,” almost 20% of the police force has contracted coronavirus (COVID-19) so far. By late March, it was reported that hundreds had tested positive around the country, but now New York has 1,000 police cases alone. NYC’s not alone - other cities are feeling the heat, too.
Detroit’s police department has seen a high number of deaths, officers quarantined and even witnessed the chief become infected. Black people are watching this disease ravage us as our people are dying at disproportionate rates, as Chicago shows.
Racist policing won’t help, so what we need is clear.
Police must deprioritize arrests and halt racist profiling of Black people immediately. Crime is dropping because of the pandemic - police and prisons that risk spreading infections have nothing to do with that. Our need for healthcare and social distancing comes first!