Governor Mike DeWine has created a task force to examine why African Americans in Ohio are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

DeWine said, "We must recognize that there are many Ohioans who have an increased risk of being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and we must do everything we can to protect all Ohioans from this pandemic." Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito-Brown will be on that task force. The co-chairwoman is also from Youngstown, but lives in Columbus and is head of the Department on Aging for the state Urcel McElroy. 

McElroy said, "This task force will examine such issues as underlying health conditions, social determinants of health that can widen gaps across communities, economics, and we will also examine the unfortunate expression of discrimination and hate during the crisis. We will take that important work and report back to the people of Ohio.  The numbers in Ohio and nationwide show a disproportionate number of African Americans have been hit by this virus. We want to do something about that." McElroy also told the public the task force will come up with tangible steps such as education, stronger data collection, and recommend policy creation or changes as needed.