St. Paul NAACP president lays out COVID-19 concerns to Gov. Walz

Farhio Khalif, President of the St. Paul NAACP, wrote a letter earlier this week to Gov. Tim Walz outlining concerns that confirmed COVID-19 cases, in the African-American and African immigrant communities, could happen at a higher rate than other racial groups in Minnesota.

In the letter, Khalif wrote, "We are writing to share our concerns over the disproportionate toll that COVID-19 is taking on people of color in Minnesota– particularly African-Americans and African immigrants."

Khalif added, "There are multiple reasons why people of color are being negatively affected, many are the result of long-standing policies that have limited their access to healthcare, quality education, fair treatment in the justice system and safe and affordable housing."

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Wednesday, Walz wrote a letter back to the NAACP acknowledging the group’s concerns and pledging to do everything possible to prevent communities of color from being disproportionately affected by the outbreak.

"We know it is incredibly important to track this data so we can make informed decisions about our response," said Walz. "We have taken and continue to take steps to help mitigate this crisis is having on Minnesotans, specifically communities of color and vulnerable populations."