Coronavirus spares one neighborhood but ravages the next. Race and class spell the difference. – USA TODAY

Virus slams black Americans, exposes inequities

Data on coronavirus deaths in the US shows a disturbing trend: The virus is killing black Americans at a higher rate. Activists working to level out racial disparities in healthcare, food access and safety are urging systemic change. (April 10)

AP

CHICAGO Train tracks run above the intersection of Kinzie Streetand Ashland Avenue, two major streets that meeton Chicago's West Side. On one corner of the intersection, there's a trampoline park and new brewery. On the opposite corner,empty buildings for lease.

In one direction, a ZIP code relatively unscathed by thecoronavirus outbreak. In the other, a community decimated by the disease. One mostly white, with six-figure incomes the norm. One mostly minority and earningmuch slimmer paychecks.

Darnell Shields, executive director of the Chicago community group Austin Coming Together, said COVID-19's disparate impacts arise from food and housing instability, shaky neighborhood economies andlimited access to quality education andhealth care.

"It creates a fertile ground for something like a virus to come in," Shields said.

As the U.S. surpassed a milestone of one million known cases of COVID-19 this week, ZIP code data show the virus has run rampant through some neighborhoods while leaving residents in adjoining areas much less impaired.

Coronavirus impact: Black people dying at much higher rates in cities across US

USA TODAY took an exclusive look at how the pandemic hasbeen felt in neighborhoods across the nation by collecting the ZIP code-level data from health departments in 12 states:Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

COVID-19 case report summaries were assembled for more than 3,200 ZIP codes about 10% of the nearly 33,000 U.S. ZIPs. Case data were matched with U.S. census demographic data to show how infection rates differed in ZIPs byrace, income and housing characteristics.

The results paint a grim picture of COVID's devastation in places just miles orblocks from communities experiencing far less harm.

In the poorest neighborhoods, where median household income is less than $35,000, the COVID-19 infection rate was twice as high as in the nations wealthiest ZIPs, with income more than $75,000.

Infection rates were five times higher in majority-minority ZIP codes than in ZIPs with less than 10% nonwhite population.

Of the top 10 ZIPs with 10 or more cases one in Florida, one in Michigan, the other eight in New York City nine are areas where at least two-thirds of the residents are nonwhite. Five are areas where household income is below the national median of $60,293.

Local health officials say not allneighborhooddifferences ininfection ratesare driven by race and income. Somearise from limited access to testing sitesor a lack of interest among some residentsin being tested. Areas with more nursing homes may also show higher rates of infection.

But the USA TODAY analysis shows socio-economic factors have played important roles.

ackling poverty in a coronavirus-induced economic downturn:Is it too risky or the right thing to do?

The intersection of Kinzie and Ashland in Chicago marks the boundary between ZIP code 60642, which centers on theNoble Square neighborhood, and ZIP code 60612, which covers much of the East Garfield Park neighborhood.

In Noble Square, the virus infection rate last week was about 20 per 10,000 residents. In neighboring East Garfield, the confirmed case rate was more than four times as high about 86 per 10,000 residents.The testing rate was also higher in East Garfield Park, but that difference doesn't come close to explaining its much higher caseload.

Touched less severely by the coronavirus, Noble Squareis a hub of young professionals bustling with a restaurant and nightlife scene.Around 60% of the population is white, and the median household income is about $101,900.

Attorney Jane Kwak, 32, was out for a walk with her boyfriend andgolden doodle Thursdaydespite the cold, overcast weather. Joggers cruised by without masks. Some walked dogs. Many restaurants were open for takeout.

"I dont know anyone personally whos had it," Kwak said of the coronavirus."I feel like around here it's still a bit normal. People are acting normal. Our neighbors will still chat and arent super fearful."

Noble Square resident Jane Kwak, 32, walks her golden doodle, Mozzarella, in Chicago, Ill. on April 30, 2020.Grace Hauck

Hard-hit East Garfield, meanwhile, is a family neighborhoodlocated between a conservatory and an industrial corridor. More than 78% of the population is non-white, and the median household income is $41,300.

Kwak, the Noble Square attorney,took a 15% pay cut and is working from home. She considers herself lucky. But in East Garfield, janitorJimmy Walkerlost his job. So did his wifeRachel, a child care worker.

The Walkers find themselvesbehind on rent. Theydont have face masks or gloves, even though the Illinois stay-at-home order going into effect Friday requires masks for those going out in public.

"Man, we need a lot of help down here,"Rachel Walker said. "It's been rough."

"There used to be people outside all day," Jimmy Walker said. "Now its like a ghost town."

East Garfield Park residents Jimmy and Rachel Walker head home from the market in Chicago, Ill. on April 30, 2020.Grace Hauck

Pastor Walter McCray, who lives in his childhood home in East Garfield,said his neighbor down the street contracted the virus and that several of his associate pastors had lost family members and longtime members of their churches.

Bill Curry, who runsprograms focused on youth and families in the neighborhood, said the community was hurting. "The demand for food has significantly increased," Curry said. "Not only people who have been regulars, but a bunch of people, this is their first time going to a food pantry."

Coronavirus in Chicago: How the mayor of the nation's 3rd-largest city is waging her biggest fight

Across the city of Chicago, a similar pattern emerges: Coronavirus case rates are higher in majority-minority, low income areas. Many of these neighborhoods are food desserts where residents lack access to broadband. Last week, the mayor launched aRacial Equity Rapid Response Team to address the disproportionate impact of the outbreak.

"This virus is really exposing a lot of the disparities that have historically been part of these communities,even before COVID," said Shields, whose group is part of the task force.

Consider ZIP code 60621, which includes the South Side Englewood neighborhood, where the case rate is 70 per 10,000. Nearly 99% of the population is nonwhite, and median household income is $20,000.

Resident Tammy Smith, 51, a home care aide, said a friend shed known since she was a teenager recentlydied after contracting the coronavirus."Shes gone on," Smith said while riding the bus to work."It has affected me, and not just me only, but family and other ones."

Per protocol, Smith boarded the bus through the rear doors, wrenching them open by pulling on the rubber lining. A handful of other people mostly African American and wearing protective masks were sat spread out throughout the bus.

Poor, essential and on the bus:Coronavirus is putting public transportation riders at risk

Adjacent ZIP code 60620, which includes Auburn Gresham, hasthe same rate of infections.

"Our community is besieged. We are losing lives," said Carlos Nelson, CEOof the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, who called USA TODAY from his cell phone because phone and internet was down in the neighborhood.

The trend is not unique to Chicago.

Detroit, the epicenter of the outbreak in Michigan, reported1,000 deaths and almost 9,000 casesas of Wednesday. The surge promptedatransformation of convention centers into field hospitals.

Ira Carroll was standing on a milk crate to reach the top shelf of the freezerto restock the ice cream section at Saturn Super Foods on Joy Road in Detroits 48228 zip code, where the coronavirus case rate is among the city's highestat 92per 10,000 residents.

Saturn Super Foods is situated on an avenue lined with shopping plazas of independent businesses, including a barbershop, a diner and an auto repair place. Beyond the avenue is a quiet residential area that makes up a large part of 48228.

"Its a quiet, peaceful neighborhood,"Carroll said, describing the place hes called home for over a decade.

Ira Carroll restocks the ice cream in the frozen section of Saturn Super Foods, in Detroit's 48228 zip code, where he has worked for 22 years.Miriam Marini

Detroits 48228 is where people come to stay. Families establish roots in the neighborhood, often staying in the area for generations. Its the type of place where your childhood friend sticks around well past childhood.Median household income is $26,000, and 84% of the population is nonwhite.

Damien Lake, 23, has lived in the 48228 area for almost his entire life. He suspects this unrelenting sense of community may be a contributing factor to the areas COVID-19 rates. "A lot of people in this area know each other, and have for years,"Lake said. "So, they want to be around each other, they want to socialize."

Just next door to this community is Redford Township, zip code 48239, with about twice the median income andonly one-eighth theinfection rate from COVID-19.

Denise Martin, whos lived in 48239 for 12 years, said Redford also has a strong sense of community. On sunny afternoons, like in many metro Detroit suburbs, its typical to find young moms walking with strollers or families taking their dog out for a bit of fresh air.

Martin lives on a quiet block where she knows each of her neighbors, which she said is expected of her as block captain for the Far West Detroit Civic Association.

Although her community hasn't been hit as hard, the impact is still felt here. Martin suspected she had coronavirus in February. With her severe asthma, doctors put her on a CPAP machine to aid her breathing and she was able to recover in time for a drive-by birthday celebration for her granddaughter on April 1.

"Nobody has come to my house since the order,"Martin said from behind a mask and homemade face shield. "I have a 1-year-old granddaughter Im looking forward to seeing. This has been the best year of my life so far with her. I want to live to see my grandbaby."

'Something has to change': Latinos disproportionately dying, losing jobs because of the virus

Some ZIP codes defied the demographic trends, potentially reflectingarbitrary decisions abouthow coronavirus cases get recorded.

In Jacksonville, Florida,the San Marco neighborhood, which makes up the heart of 32207, is one of the city's most walkable. Storefronts that line wide sidewalks are usually packed. But ever since the coronavirus outbreak has shut down much of the city, the neighborhood has followed suit.

As the Florida Department of Health has updated its COVID-19 case data, 32207 has stuck out. Itaccounted for less than 4%of the countys population but 18% of cases.

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Currys spokeswoman, Nikki Kimbleton, said the aberration is because of the number of hospitals in the area. While state officials saythey try to attribute cases to where someone lives, if they don't know the patient'saddress,they mark downthe address for a health care provider or testing lab.

San Marco is home to Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, the citys primary testing partner, so its likely patients from elsewhere are assigned there. Baptist didnt return requests for comment.

The other COVID-19 risk factors: How race, income, ZIP code can influence life and death

Just next door, in 32216, which is home to the St. Vincents Southside hospital and Memorial Hospital, the rate of confirmed coronavirus cases is a quarter of San Marcos.

Both neighborhoods have roughly the same population, racial makeup, median household income and housing stock. However, there are differences between the two communities.

Restaurants inSan Marco, with the higher case rate, are home to walk-up retailand seem to have adapted to walk-up takeout. Restaurants in 32216, home to industrial parks and much of the citys Arabic, Latin American and Southeast Asian shopping, say they have seen a steeper drop in foot traffic.

City Councilman Matt Carlucci, a lifelong native of San Marco, has taken to social medialike Nextdoorto reassure residents thatthe big numbers theyre seeing in ZIP code maps of COVID-19 infections dont reflect reality.

If there really were an outbreak in the neighborhood, he said, hed know about it. "I know San Marco as well as anybody in San Marco," Carlucci said. "Ive lived here all 64 years of my life."

Contributing:Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press;Andrew Pantazi, Jacksonville.com

Grace Hauck is based in Chicago. Follow her at@grace_hauck.

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Coronavirus spares one neighborhood but ravages the next. Race and class spell the difference. - USA TODAY