It will be insufficient to simply “come back” from this crisis. Our inequitable and disabling pre-existing conditions must be addressed. We can do better — we can build a more robust local and national immunity to counter all threats to our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Don’t Rebuild:

Re-Design for Racial Equity.

Black and Brown District of Columbia residents are in the hazardous crosshairs of the Coronavirus crisis: they are both most greatly affected by its mortality and health impact and most deeply vulnerable to its economic impact.

Consider this data point: 45% of DC’s population identify as Black/African American and 39% as white; deaths from COVID19 have been 76% Black/African American and 11% white. Why would this be? In addition to the greater likelihood of pre-existing conditions, there are these other confoundingly-mingled facts: because poverty affects Black residents at higher rates, they are more likely to be front-line and essential workers with greater risk of virus exposure; they are also less likely to have a financial cushion allowing for choice with regard to whether, where and when to work — if they are able to stay employed.

We have a pre-existing condition. This crisis is vividly exposing and will most certainly exacerbate the racial and economic inequity in our very foundation — if left unaddressed. Our pre-existing vulnerability presents a peril to the whole system. As in Everyone. All of us.

Coronavirus has arrived as a frighteningly elegant teacher on the topics of both structural racism and human interdependence. How we behave, the choices we make, the rules we create or…