Coronavirus Racial Equity Effort Targets 3 Black Neighborhoods

CHICAGO — African Americans continue to be hit hardest by the new coronavirus. Black residents, who make up less than a third of the city's population, accounted for nearly 60 percent of the Chicago's coronavirus-related deaths, city officials said.

On Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city's Racial Equity Rapid Response Team to three African American neighborhoods hit hardest by the new coronavirus to conduct well-being checks, deliver protective face masks and information about slowing the spread of the disease, rent and mortgage assistance and food delivery services.

City Hall has partnered with Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, Austin Coming Together and South Shore Works to develop data-driven strategies to slow the spread of the COVID-19 in those South and West Side neighborhoods, which been most heavily impacted by the virus. Already, the effort has distributed 60,000 face masks donated by Dr. Willie Wilson in partnership with Sinai Health System.

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“We are all in this crisis together, but we haven’t experienced it in the same way,” Lightfoot said. “In response to the shockingly disproportionate impact this disease has had on our communities, [the rapid response team] is working aggressively and in close collaboration with local leaders and partners to mount a public health response that addresses the specific and contextualized needs of our residents and families. While we continue to focus on the immediate challenges related to COVID-19, this crisis has also doubled-down our longer mission to fight poverty, end racial inequality, and ensure every Chicagoan has access to a bright future we all deserve.”

This week, the rapid response team will host virtual town hall meetings aimed at getting feedback from residents.

The online sessions will be broadcast on social media:

* South Shore Works (@southshoreworks) — Thursday, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

* Greater Auburn Gresham (@gagdcchicago) — Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon.

* Austin Coming Together (@act.chicago) — Saturday, 12:30 pm to 2 p.m.