Beyonce Warns Of ‘Alarming’ Rate Of Black COVID Deaths In Surprise Message

Beyonce surprised the world by appearing in Saturday’s star-studded “One World: Together At Home” concert. The global, 8-hour event streamed across the digital space brought together some of music’s biggest faces, also raising over $127 million for the coronavirus relief effort.

Beyonce, 38, appeared in a video message delivered from the backyard of her Los Angeles, California mansion. The “Halo” singer’s message has since gone viral, with the footage seeing the former Destiny’s Child singer address a very real issue in the United States. Louisiana has already documented 70% of COVID-19 deaths as being African Americans, with Beyonce herself mentioning the high percentage of casualties in her hometown of Houston, Texas as she spoke.

“Tonight, we celebrate true heroes, those who are making the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe, fed and healthy. To the doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers who are away from their families taking care of ours, we continue to pray for your safety. To those in the food industry, delivery workers, mail carriers, and sanitation employees who are working so that we can be safe in our homes, we thank you for your selfless service,” she began.

The mom of three then honed in on the statistics that are now a country-wide deal.

A recent report from my home city, Houston, Texas, showed that of COVID-19 deaths within Houston city limits, 57 percent of fatal cases are African-American. Please protect yourselves. 

While Beyonce did not perform in the concert featuring the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, The Rolling Stones, and Lizzo, she did join in Disney’s recent family singalong, delivering “A Wish Upon A Star.” Beyonce also thanked the frontline, particularly mentioning those whose jobs keep them from their nearest and dearest.

“To the doctors and nurses and other healthcare workers who are away from their families taking care of ours, we continue to pray for your safety. To those in the food industry, delivery workers, mail carriers, and sanitation employees who are working so that we can be safe in our homes, we thank you for your selfless service,” she said from her outdoor location.

The “Lemonade” singer also raised the issue of essential workers manifesting a high black percentage, something that she deemed “disproportionate.”

“Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home. And African American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis. Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk.”

Also in the news has been the singer’s 8-year-old daughter Blue Ivy. Her recent video came with a DIY cleanliness message outlining the importance of hygiene amid COVID-19.

Organized by Lady Gaga together with Global Citizen, the concert that trended on Twitter as soon as it went live also featured stars including Jessie J, Shania Twain, and Green Day, plus couple Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes. A duet from John Legend and Sam Smith was also delivered, with Lady Gaga herself performing on a keyboard.