Last week, I ventured as far as calling the coronavirus “racist.” That hyperbolic claim raised eyebrows and rightfully so. I know that a virus cannot itself be racist, but I was making a point of how the Leftmedia has treated coverage. Anytime something in America negatively affects black people, the narrative somehow centers on racism — the ongoing legacy of slavery, Jim Crow, white privilege, or inner-city poverty.

COVID-19 is an equal-opportunity virus seeking a host that is susceptible to it. It does not see skin color. It does not see socioeconomic background. It does not know your political affiliations. It does not pounce on the poor and pass over those with prominence. Like other infections, COVID-19 is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water. Tell me where in that description of the spread of this virus did I mention race, gender, socioeconomic background, level of education, health insurance, or whether you have photo ID to vote? At its core, this virus is not racially motivated; however, some of those with a particular hue seem to believe it is.

For example, if I lit a match and dropped it into the ocean, as opposed to it being dropped in a field of tall, dry grass. The match is the same, but the preexisting conditions are different. The former example will see the match quenched in water; the latter example could yield the type of forest fire that Smoky the Bear warns against. It is just that simple. Is the match discriminatory?

In a recent online interview with Tyler Perry, the American actor, writer, producer, comedian, and director stated, “For sure, [there are] underlying conditions that [we] have. Everybody I know where I come from there is some sort of underlying condition, be it diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity. There’s always something.” Gayle King, who interviewed Perry, went on to say, “It’s not that black people are more susceptible; it’s just that some of the conditions that a lot of people in the black community have — that’s the problem!”

When asked about the coronavirus during an interview, hip-hop artist Waka Floka Flame, said, “Minorities can’t catch it.” After you unwrap your mind over the name of this famous rapper, wrap your head around what came out of his mouth. Messages like these are the reason why black and brown minorities are suffering disproportionately. Lies told do not run as deep as lies believed.

Let’s debunk this black myth accurately:

• Adults ages 65 and older are at a higher risk if they contract the virus.

• So are people with underlying medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.

• Minorities experience an increased number of comorbid conditions like high blood pressure, hypertension, asthma, diabetes, and obesity.

English actor Idris Elba said, “Something that is scaring me, when I read the comments and some of the reactions — my people, black people, please, please understand that coronavirus is — you can get it,” Elba said. “There are so many stupid, ridiculous conspiracy theories about black people not being able to get it. That is the quickest way to get more black people killed. And I’m talking about the whole world, wherever we are. Just know you have to be just as vigilant as every other race.” I could not agree more.

While the false notion of the black community immunity to coronavirus has, to some degree, faded, the overarching “blacklash” has caused cities like Detroit, with a 14% minority population, to account for 41% of the coronavirus infection. Ignorance is not bliss.