Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist says he’s pleased the racial disparity with COVID-19 in Michigan has eased since the early days of the pandemic. Speaking Thursday, Gilchrist said Black residents make up about 13% of Michigan’s population, but they accounted for 29% of the COVID cases about a year ago. Now that’s down to 11%. Gilchrist said the task now is to get everyone vaccinated.
“People have questions, and that is nothing to be ashamed of,” Gilchrist said. “It is OK to ask questions. It is also important to know that those questions have answers.”
That’s why Gilchrist is embarking on the Making Real Change tour throughout the state.
“We’re planning to make several stops across the state, including cities like Flint, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and Detroit. The tour will highlight our continued efforts to flatten and eliminate racial disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Gilchrist said he got his first dose a few weeks ago at a church in Detroit, and it was “glorious” to see a church full of people waiting to get the shot. He notes he continues to speak with people daily about the vaccine, and he believes stories from trusted friends and loved ones who did get vaccinated can be the thing to change minds when someone is hesitating. Gilchrist said the administration is doing all it can to make sure people get the information they need from sources they trust.
