Event Highlights Challenges Facing African Americans In Light Of COVID-19

Indianapolis leaders gathered for a virtual town hall Thursday to talk about the impact of the coronavirus on the African American community.  

The panel, organized by the Indianapolis Recorder, addressed health, education, economic and civic issues facing Indianapolis and the black community.  Leaders at the virtual event took questions and tackled issues,  like how coronavirus impacts the homeless population.

Indianapolis’s Director of Public Health and Safety Paul Babcock says shelters have had to limit the number of people.

"We’re continuing to work on that every day to find a solution for a problem that I think is going to exacerbate as this pandemic continues to spread," says Babcock.

Black people in Indianapolis are also more likely to face food insecurity. United Way of Central Indiana CEO Ann Murlow says there may be barriers to food assistance.

"Because you’ll notice and the people watching this will notice that some of the places you are used to going are shut down now," says Murtlow. 

The event also provided an opportunity to update health directives about the virus including symptoms and preventative measures.