As our nation continues struggling to address the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing a shocking trend in deaths among African Americans.

According to reporting from ProPublica on April 3, African Americans accounted for just 15% of Americans in the 2010 census but represent 35% of COVID-19 diagnoses and 40% of COVID-19 deaths. This dataset is based on just a handful of states and occurred weeks before the peak, meaning the numbers have likely gotten worse.

In the communities reporting demographic data, we see the harsh reality of these statistics as human lives.

Read the rest of Rep. Kelly’s piece at The Casper Star Tribune.