This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Oprah Winfrey recently opened up about coronavirus taking a “devastating toll on the African American community.” The talk show host has already donated 10 million dollars to coronavirus relief, and now she is using her influential voice to speak out about the virus and its dangers.
Explaining her decision to speck out, she said, “What I do know is that there is a way to connect to the community in such a way and using language that people stop and pay attention to.”
Talking about coronavirus’ “deadly impact on black America,” she definitely did use strong language to spread awareness.
Speaking to Good Morning America, Oprah described it as "our responsibility" to speak out about preexisting conditions (like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or asthma) that can make you higher risk for contracting coronavirus and getting seriously ill--or even dying--from it.
She also opened up about her own health concerns: "You know, for myself, I had pneumonia back in August So I consider that a preexisting condition because I've been trying to get rid of this bronchial thing since so I heard it like, 'Whoo, all right, I'm going to be more susceptible.'"
She explained what she hopes to achieve: "One of the things we're talking about in the special is the need for more testing stations obviously, but more importantly I think it's important for African Americans to understand for ourselves that this is so serious."
She continued, "It's taking us out. It's killing your cousins and your friends and your neighbors. And you need to do whatever you can to protect yourself...For now everybody needs to look out for themselves and for their neighbors."
