Statement on St. Louis’ Jail Population

Poor reporting of data, which initially masked the fact that the disease was disproportionately affecting black communities, remains a problem even as states move to reopen their economies.

Today, Americans living in counties with above-average black populations are three times as likely to die of the coronavirus as those in above-average white counties, according to an analysis of census and other data by The Washington Post.

Host Hank Thompson speaks with St. Louis County health director, Spring Schmidt, St. Louis City health director, Dr. Fred Echols, and community activist, Jamala Rogers to discuss the 2019 Coronavirus and St. Louis’ ability to handle an epidemic.

Today over 30 elected prosecutors representing more than17 million people across the country issued a joint statement recommending immediate actions to mitigate community spread of COVID–19 amongst the 2.3 million adults and children held in prisons, local jails, youth correctional facilities, immigration detention centers, and other forms of confinement. Key recommendations include: