In reaction to a piece on NBC News this week about the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Latino population in Rhode Island:
The population of Corpus Christi, Texas is over 60 percent Latino/Hispanic heritage and our results are nowhere near those of Rhode Island. Our population density is also about the same as RI.
I suspect the difference is that here we actively practiced social distancing and wore masks.
Focusing on heritage is fallacious. The real difference, in my opinion, is common sense and self discipline.
The message is clear and simple. Wear a mask in public until this pandemic is over.
Some additional facts FYI: Corpus Christi has a population of 362,000, over 60 percent Latino/Hispanic heritage and has had 288 cases of Corona (0.08%), with 133 confirmed recovered and three deaths.
Yes, population density increases the per capita rate of contracting the virus but still not as high as RI/Central Falls.
George Hemond
George Hemond is a former member of the North Smithfield School Committee. He now lives in Corpus Christi, Texas.
