Florida Democrat Convention Discriminates Against Unvaccinated, Disproportionately Affecting Black Americans
April 29, 2022 Updated 8:58 A.M. ET
JACKSONVILLE (FLV) – The Florida Young Democrats are hosting their annual political convention at a Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville.
Going against Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the organizers say not only will attendees be required to wear a mask at indoor sessions, but proof of vaccination will also be required.
“This event will be in-person only and will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Currently, masks will be required at all indoor sessions,” the event description reads. It will take place starting Friday, April 29, through Sunday, May 1.
According to multiple sources, black Americans are underrepresented in COVID-19 vaccination.
KFF.org reports that as of April 7, 2022, black Americans only comprise 10.3% of the vaccinated population, despite comprising more than 12% of the population.
USA Facts data shows that of the white population in Florida, over 40% have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while black Floridians sit just above 20%. Each group had slightly lower rates of being fully vaccinated. Data for vaccination by demographics was frozen on March 3, 2022, and the race data was available for 85.73% of those who received at least one dose.
CDC guidance on mask wearing says that Americans should wear a mask “when there is a lot of COVID” in their respective communities. According to the CDC’s COVID-19 County Check, Duval County, where Jacksonville is located, has a “low” level of community transmission, meaning masks are not recommended.
Earlier this week, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci declared that the United States is “out of the pandemic phase,” but walked those comments back shortly after.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that Fauci meant “we are in a different phase of this pandemic.”
“We also know COVID isn’t over and the pandemic isn’t over.”
