The March 13 killing of Breonna Taylor is one of numerous deadly confrontations between minority groups and police that have led to riots and protests countrywide. The recorded interview of Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly is alarming because of the sympathetic attitude the investigators took when investigating the raid that led to Taylor’s death. The audio recording shows that the cops involved in the raid realized they had made some ethical errors in the botched raid. The investigators refrain from emphasizing on the unpleasant aspects of the raid. While Mattingly’s interview lasts 40 minutes, Walker’s, Breonna’s boyfriend, takes approximately 98 minutes. The recordings reveal numerous inconsistencies in the investigation about the shooting.
Breonna’s shooting demonstrates the issues currently plaguing police departments nationwide. Police tend to provide minimal details concerning botched shootings that fail to vindicate their fellow officers. The main issue that comes to the forefront in these recordings is that the investigators are trying to paint the actions of the police as appropriate although an innocent life has been lost. In his interview, Walker emphasizes that he fired at the cops in self-defense since the cops had not announced themselves. It is fair to argue that many people would undertake similar actions when their property is breached. In Mattingly’s recording, the investigator describes the raid involving a battering ram and seven officers as the most passive approach. Additionally, the investigator retorts that the police officers lawfully returned fire. Unfortunately, Breonna Taylor died after receiving eight shots.
The fact that the botched raid was a fatal mistake on the part of the police illustrates the institutional and ethical issues affecting many departments. Investigations into the questionable actions of police officers are riddled with civil rights violations as they emphasize on the behavior and history of victims rather than that of the police. The recordings show that departments are aware of the unreasonable actions of their officers but opt on protecting them.
Covid 19 HBCU’s
The Coronavirus outbreak has forced educational institutions to take drastic precautionary measures designed to safeguard the health of individuals from the virus. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) serve communities that the outbreak has hit hard such as Black Americans. Recent trends have shown that the African American community is more likely to catch and die from the virus than whites. Thus, HBCUs must be at the forefront of adopting precautionary measures because they are well-positioned to lead the fight against the outbreak. Institutions like Howard University released a video showing the in-depth measures they are taking. The institution transitioned to online classes and discouraged learners from travelling overseas. The outbreak has forced communities to change their lifestyles since many are working and learning remotely from home. As people make these transitions, it is vital to keep them informed about safety precautions.
I believe that information is of significance during periods of crises. Offering constant communication on internet platforms regarding precautionary measures is of significance as it equips learners and faculty members with tools that safeguard their health. HBCUs such as Norfolk have created fun videos on how to stay healthy. The video recommends novel ways to great people as opposed to handshakes including waving and fist bumps. Consequently, the video shows the appropriate way to wash hands using soap and water, as well as hand sanitizers comprising more than fifty-percent alcohol. The efforts by HBCUs also involve informing students of the outbreak of Covid in new areas that students want to travel to. These efforts will save lives, as more people understand the dynamics of the virus. Trends show that many young people are not taking the outbreak seriously because of misconception and misinformation. Fortunately, correspondence between learning institutions and their students can change these ideas. Thus, as the virus continues to multiply across the worlds, learning institutions will hopefully keep their staff and students safe to pave way for nationwide reopening.
Covid 19 Black Americans in North Carolina
The United States confirmed its earliest case in January while the first known deaths occurred in February. Today, the country has reported more than 3.3 million cases and at least 135, 000 deaths since the pandemic began. North Carolina identified its first case on March 3 from a person who was exposed at a care facility in Washington State. According to data from the state’s Coronavirus Map and Case Count, North Carolina has registered 89, 863 cases and 1582 deaths so far. These estimates are spread across different counties such as Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham, Guilford, Forsyth, Johnston, and Wayne and others. The worst-hit counties include Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford. Mecklenburg leads the state with 15, 680 cases and 168 deaths, followed by Wake with 7, 901 cases and 76 deaths. Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Johnston, and Wayne have 4723 cases (72 deaths), 3785 cases (72), 3760 (128), 2160 (38), and 2021 (32) respectively. The least affected counties include Graham (10 cases), Clay (16), Madison (18), Hyde (31), Avery (31) and Currituck (32), which have zero deaths.
Epidemiologists across the country have noted that African Americans are dying from the virus at a higher rate than other groups. NC Coronavirus breakdown map shows the county is no exception. Latino and Black communities appear to be contracting the disease at a disproportionate rate. The trend is affecting black and Hispanic communities highlighting the inequities that were present before the outbreak. Living arrangements, workplaces, and religious practices are likely to challenge containing the virus. These communities are set up in congregate housing that fails to promote precautionary measures such as physical distancing. Importantly, Balck communities have high rates of metabolic disorders, hypertension and cardiorespiratory failure. The underlying health conditions increase the risk of adverse health outcomes due to the novel coronavirus, which explains why the virus is hitting minority groups harder.