Five years after the World Health organization declared the coronavirus pandemic on March 11, 2020, the Black community in Chicago continues to grapple with its profound and disproportionate impact. The initial alarm sounded on March 16, 2020, with the death of Patricia Frieson, a 61-year-old Black woman residing in the 60620 zip code, which includes the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Frieson’s passing marked the first COVID-19 death in Illinois, serving as a stark warning to a community initially slow to recognize the severity of the impending crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing health disparities, leaving a lasting impact on Black communities across the United States, particularly in Chicago. The virus preyed on vulnerabilities created by systemic inequities, resulting in disproportionately high infection and mortality rates among Black residents. Five years later, the scars of the pandemic remain visible, prompting ongoing efforts to address the root causes of these disparities and build more resilient communities.

Patricia Frieson’s death resonated deeply within Black Chicago. as Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order, Frieson’s fate underscored the vulnerability of the South and West sides. Tragically, just three weeks later, Frieson’s sister, Wanda Bailey, 63, also succumbed to COVID-19, amplifying the community’s fears and highlighting the virus’s devastating potential.

The pandemic’s toll on Black Americans is staggering. According to the Centers for Disease control and Prevention, over 1.2 million Americans have died from COVID-19, with approximately 163,639 being Black individuals. In Illinois, the virus claimed the lives of 36,960 residents, including 6,651 black individuals, according to the COVID-19 Tracking Project. Within Chicago, the disparity is even more pronounced. Black residents, comprising 29 percent of the city’s population, accounted for a staggering 42 percent of the 7,455 COVID-19 deaths.

As Chicago prepared for spring in March 2020, the city’s vibrant energy abruptly halted. The Loop’s offices shuttered, the Grand Mile transformed into a ghost town, and the bustling city life receded behind closed doors.However, in Black Chicago, life initially continued with a semblance of normalcy. Churches remained open, and social gatherings persisted, fueled in part by early, unfounded speculation that African genes might offer protection against the virus.

Frieson’s death shattered this illusion. It became clear that Black neighborhoods, frequently enough lacking adequate healthcare resources, were exceptionally vulnerable. In a city already marked by segregation, COVID-19 exposed the deep-seated inequalities between the haves and have-nots, disproportionately affecting Black, Latino, and low-income communities.

Individuals aged 65 and older, along with those with underlying medical conditions, faced the greatest risk. These conditions, sadly, are prevalent within the Black community, further exacerbating the pandemic’s impact. over the subsequent two years, Black Chicago experienced a disproportionately high mortality rate compared to other ethnic groups.

The urgency of the situation became palpable. On March 13, the Chicago Crusader reported that 848 Black residents in Illinois had contracted the coronavirus. The story garnered significant attention, receiving over 11,000 hits in just 14 minutes. The public sought information, desperately seeking face masks and sanitizers. Panic buying ensued, with bleach and toilet paper disappearing from grocery store shelves, and shoppers enduring long lines to enter stores while adhering to social distancing guidelines.

The pandemic forced widespread closures, impacting various aspects of life. Restaurants, gyms, and movie theaters temporarily ceased operations. While gatherings were discouraged, some individuals defied the restrictions, leading to the closure of venues like the Renaissance Club in Bronzeville and the Grand Ballroom for violating mask mandates and social distancing protocols.

Cultural events that are cornerstones of the Black community were also impacted. The Bud Billiken Parade, the Black women’s Expo, and the International African Arts Festival were all canceled in 2020. The Black Women’s Expo resumed in August 2020, a shift from its conventional April date. The Bud Billiken Parade returned in 2021 with a modified route. The International Arts Festival faced challenges due to rising production costs and was canceled in 2024 but is expected to return this year.

The economic fallout extended to local businesses.The Studio Movie Grill in Chatham, a popular entertainment venue, closed in 2021 after the chain declared bankruptcy.Reopened as Cinemas Chatham in 2022 under new ownership, it struggled to regain its pre-pandemic success and ultimately closed in January 2024, leaving a void in black Chicago’s entertainment landscape.

The pandemic also ushered in a new era of remote work, transforming daily routines. Commuting became a thing of the past, and the rise of Zoom facilitated virtual meetings and gatherings. However, this period was also marked by isolation and depression, as people went weeks without in-person contact.

The early days of the pandemic were especially harrowing,with overwhelmed funeral homes resorting to refrigerated trucks to store the deceased. The sense of loss permeated the community, as nearly everyone knew someone affected by the virus.

The pandemic claimed the lives of prominent figures, including educator and Crusader columnist Conrad Worrill, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, businessman Herman Cain, and country singer Charley Pride. Worrill’s funeral procession, a testament to his Pan-Africanist beliefs, stretched for nearly 250 cars.

The death of Reverend leon Finney of Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church on September 4, initially sparked speculation about COVID-19, but his passing was attributed to leukemia. His church, a landmark in the community, eventually closed, later reopening under new leadership.

Other notable figures, including civil rights leaders Joseph Lowery and John Lewis, and Chicago historian Timuel Black, passed away during the pandemic, adding to the sense of collective grief, though not from COVID-19 itself.

The death of Archbishop Lucius Hall on April 2,at Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville,deeply affected many in Black Chicago. The news reverberated through the community, prompting the Crusader to launch a series titled We lost them to COVID-19, profiling the lives of Black individuals who succumbed to the

Chicago’s Black Community: A Decade After COVID-19 – Unraveling the Lingering Health Disparities

Did you know that the first COVID-19 death in Illinois highlighted a pre-existing vulnerability within Chicago’s Black community, a vulnerability that continues to impact health outcomes even years later?

Interviewer: dr.Anya Sharma, a leading epidemiologist specializing in health equity and social determinants of health, welcome to World Today News. Your expertise on the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority communities is invaluable. Let’s delve into the lasting legacy of COVID-19 on Black Chicago. What were the primary factors that contributed to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on this community?

Dr.Sharma: Thank you for having me. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black Chicagoans stems from a complex interplay of factors, long predating the pandemic itself. The primary contributors include systemic racism and historical inequalities, which have created a healthcare landscape riddled with disparities. This manifests in several ways:

Limited access to quality healthcare: Black communities often have fewer healthcare facilities, fewer primary care physicians, and less access to specialized care. This lack of access translates to delayed diagnosis, treatment, and preventative care.

Higher rates of chronic conditions: Chronic diseases like diabetes,hypertension,and heart disease – all risk factors for severe COVID-19 – are more prevalent in Black communities due to factors like socioeconomic status,food insecurity,and environmental hazards. These pre-existing conditions made Black individuals more vulnerable to severe illness and death.

Socioeconomic factors: Poverty, unemployment, and unstable housing contribute to increased stress levels, poorer health outcomes, and limited access to resources that could mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Essential workers, many of whom are Black, were disproportionately exposed to the virus in their workplaces.

Historical mistrust of the healthcare system: Generational trauma stemming from medical experimentation and discriminatory practices has fostered a deep mistrust of the healthcare system within some Black communities, potentially leading to hesitation in seeking preventative care or treatment during the pandemic.

Interviewer: The death of Patricia Frieson in March 2020 marked a tragic turning point. How did this event shine a light on these pre-existing inequalities?

Dr. Sharma: Patricia Frieson’s death served as a stark, undeniable wake-up call. Her case immediately highlighted that the pandemic wasn’t an equalizer; it magnified existing social and health inequities. Her death, the first COVID-19 fatality in Illinois, exposed the glaring vulnerabilities within Black communities – vulnerabilities that were exacerbated by a lack of access to timely testing, treatment, and adequate facts. It underscored the urgent need to address the underlying social determinants of health influencing health outcomes. It’s crucial to remember that her story was not an isolated incident.

interviewer: Beyond mortality rates, what are some other long-term consequences the Black Chicago community continues to face in the post-COVID era?

Dr. Sharma: The long-term consequences are multifaceted and deeply concerning.We’re seeing:

Lingering mental health challenges: The pandemic’s social isolation, economic hardship, and collective trauma have contributed to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD within the community.

Increased health disparities: The pandemic widened existing gaps in healthcare access, leaving some members of the community with compromised health and untreated conditions.

Economic instability: Job losses and business closures disproportionately impacted the Black community, leaving a trail of economic hardship long after the pandemic’s most acute phase.

Educational setbacks: School closures and disrupted learning exacerbated existing educational inequalities, further impacting future opportunities.

Interviewer: What actionable steps can be taken to address these lingering issues and promote health equity in Black Chicago?

Dr. Sharma: To build a genuinely equitable healthcare system, we need a multi-pronged approach that:

1. Invests in community-based healthcare: We must increase access to primary care, preventative services, and culturally competent healthcare within Black communities. This involves establishing more clinics, recruiting diverse healthcare professionals, and providing training on cultural competency.
2. Addresses social determinants of health: Combatting poverty, improving housing conditions, ensuring food security, and addressing environmental injustices are essential to promoting better health outcomes. These social determinants fundamentally underpin health disparities.
3. Builds trust within communities: Investing in community engagement and outreach can begin to repair the historical mistrust of the healthcare system.Engaging community leaders and trusted figures is key to disseminating accurate information and promoting health literacy.
4. Promotes health equity through policy: Policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare, social support, address systemic racism, and eliminate health disparities are vital; effective policies can be transformative.

Interviewer: Dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your insightful viewpoint on this crucial topic. Your expertise underscores the urgent necessity for continued action to address health equity disparities and their continuing impact on Chicago’s Black community.

Dr. Sharma: The conversation on health equity is not merely about statistics; it is indeed about peopel, families, and communities who have suffered and continue to bear the weight of decades of systemic inequities. Let’s work together to ensure a healthier, more just future for all.

call to Action: Share your thoughts on the lasting impact of COVID-19 on the Black community in Chicago. What solutions do you believe are crucial for promoting health equity moving forward? Join the conversation in the comments below, and let’s continue this significant discussion!