About 1 in 5 Americans say they lost a loved one to COVID-19, according to a new survey, as Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the pandemic.
The Associated Press-NORC Public Affairs Research Center survey found that about 3 in 10 Americans are still concerned about themselves or a family member being infected with the contagious virus.
Research also shows that the virus has devastated black communities the most.
About 30% of African Americans and Hispanics say they know a family member or close friend who died of coronavirus, compared with 15% of whites, according to the AP-NORC survey.
When it comes to getting the COVID-19 vaccine, young adults, college-educated people and Republicans say they don’t plan to do that, the research says.
For communities of color, being vaccinated has also become a struggle.
Sixteen percent of black Americans and 15 percent of Hispanics say they received at least one injection, compared with 26 percent of whites, the data show.
The new figures come as the world mourns for loved ones on the one-year anniversary since the spread of the virus was declared a global pandemic.
President Biden praised the victims of the virus during his speech on Thursday night to the nation.
“A year ago, we were hit by a virus that silenced and spread without control. Denials for days, weeks and months. This led to more deaths, more infections, more stress and more loneliness. Photos and videos from 2019 appear to have been taken in another era, ”said Biden.
“You lost your job, closed your business, facing eviction, homelessness, hunger. A loss of control, perhaps worst of all, a loss of hope. “
Biden also announced that all adults will be eligible to apply for the vaccine by May 1.
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