Screenshot by Hlee Lee

The coronavirus may be keeping our hosts apart, but it won’t stop the conversations. Producer Jo Erickson (top left), and co-hosts Hlee Lee, Marianne Combs, Luz Maria Frias (bottom left) and Anthony Galloway create the show while staying at home.

On this episode of Counter Stories:

Early data suggests black people are contracting and dying of COVID-19 at a much higher rate than the rest of the population. We look at the history behind health disparities in the African American community, and how those disparities are making them more vulnerable today.

Plus misinformation about the coronavirus has fueled a wave of racist attacks on Asian Americans. Counter Stories host Hlee Lee shares how glares and verbal abuse from strangers have driven her family to find alternative ways to shop for food.

Meanwhile, all of our hosts are working to dispel myths about the pandemic that are circulating in their communities and on social media.

And, the pandemic has revealed that many jobs typically filled by immigrants are actually essential to keeping the country running. But few workers are getting the protective gear they need to keep themselves safe.

Today’s hosts are:

Hlee Lee, Owner of The Other Media Group

Anthony Galloway, Executive Director of Arts-US

Luz Maria Frias, Equity Coach and Founder of The Savvy Coach

Marianne Combs, Correspondent, MPR News