Redlining Health Update: Norfolk’s COVID-19 Racial Inequities.

Seven months into the pandemic, and racial fault lines over COVID-19 have become clear.

“We are now four months into our current pandemic. So is this virus actually infecting and killing in Norfolk’s vulnerable neighborhoods? It’s still early to say…”

            At the end of May, we asked this question. At the time, the answer was still unclear. However, in the months that followed, it became overwhelmingly evident that COVID-19 was hitting some neighborhoods harder than others.  Just how bad did it get? Let’s look at the two zip codes we covered in our previous article: 23507, home to the majority-white Ghent neighborhood, and 23504, home to the majority-black St Paul’s Quadrant.

            Back in May, the 23507 reported a total of 8 cases. At the same time, the 23504 reported 82 cases. As of August 10th, the 23507 is reporting a total of 82 cases, while the 23504 zip code has 512 cases.

What can we glean from this data? Breaking down the data even further we can spot a number of important factors. Both zip codes have a sizeable difference in population. Around 6,700 people live in the 23507 block. Over 23,000 people live in the 23504 area. When it comes to race, the two neighborhoods are mirror images of each other. 23507 is around 85% White. The 23504 is around 85% African American.  Noting this sizable difference in the racial makeup of these two neighborhoods is crucial. Because comparing these two neighborhoods confirms what is evident in Norfolk, and what is evident nationwide: COVID-19 is disproportionately infecting people of color, especially African Americans.

Across all of Norfolk, the data is even more grim. Out of Norfolk’s 2,155 total cases, fully 1,036 of them are African Americans. African Americans account for almost 50% of all Norfolk’s COVID-19 cases. White people account for 236 cases in Norfolk, or about 11% of total cases. However, there’s an important caveat here. Some 30% of all cases in Norfolk did not report the patient’s race.  This means we are left in the dark as to how serious Norfolk’s racial gap is when it comes to COVID-19.  With the data we do have, what’s clear is that in Norfolk- a city half white and half black- COVID-19 is hitting black neighborhoods harder than white neighborhoods.

            Why is it Norfolk’s black neighborhoods are faring worse than others? Norfolk’s history of racists housing policies built today’s vulnerable neighborhoods. Redlining served to build racially segregated neighborhoods that concentrated poverty among African Americans, further segregated schools; and left African Americans without access to adequate medical care, grocery stores, and public transportation- all factors that influence one’s health. Nearly every neighborhood that was historically redlined is now considered by the CDC to be a medically “vulnerable” neighborhood. Nearly every vulnerable neighborhood is majority black. A virus doesn’t know borders, but it knows zip codes. And our zip codes are shaped by the legacies of racism that continue to haunt us today.

      As data on COVID-19 continues to demonstrate growing health inequalities in our neighborhoods, it can seem like an overwhelming task to fight an invisible enemy whose pathways are shaped by things that happened a century ago. While the task might seem daunting, it’s not impossible. Here are some steps you can right now to help fight medical inequality in Norfolk.

1) Advocate for a Moratorium on Evictions. You need a home in order to stay at home. With shelters closed, public facilities off-limits, and health risks from being in public, more than ever having a home is crucial in order to stay healthy. Before the pandemic, the Hampton Roads area had some of the highest eviction rates in the country. Virginia has recently extended their moratorium on evictions until September, but there is no indication this break will last. Advocate to your Norfolk city council, and Norfolk’s mayor here. Or call them at 757-664-4268.

Donate to ForKids, a local non-profit that assists families with their rent and mortgages.

2)  Advocate for a Moratorium on Utility Shutoffs. You can’t wash your hands if you have no running water. In order to be able to stay home and stay healthy, you need to have water, heat, and electricity. Dominion Energy, Columbia Gas, and Cox Communications have all agreed to suspend shutoffs for now, but it’s unclear when that suspension will end. It can’t be left to private corporations to determine when to resume shutting off services. Advocate to your Norfolk city council, and Norfolk’s mayor to keep utility companies from shutting off people’s services. Contact them here, or call them at 757-664-4268.

3) Donate to South Hampton Roads United Way. United Way is partnering with ForKids to target COVID-19 relief in the Tidewater area, specifically focusing on under-resourced populations. United Way is operating a COVID-19 relief hotline, supporting other frontline non-profits, and planning for long-term recovery. Donate to their relief fund or volunteer here.

4) Donate your Time, Money, or Food to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore. The Foodbank is running a mobile pantry program in Norfolk to help food-insecure neighborhoods secure groceries safely. You can contribute funds or food here.

5)  Donate or Volunteer with Corona Aid 757. This autonomous group of volunteers run errands and delivers groceries to high risk people. They are looking for people to run errands, shop for groceries, deliver groceries, and coordinate volunteer teams. Volunteer with them here.