Beyonce Urges Black Community To Protect Themselves Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Beyoncé returned to television screens for the Global Citizen's One World: Together At Home special on Saturday (April 18) with an important message for the black community.

"Tonight, we celebrate true heroes — those who are making the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe, fed and healthy," she began. "To the doctors, the 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."

After thanking those on the frontlines, Bey went on to address the black community, saying, "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 preexisting conditions are at even higher risk."

"This virus is killing black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America," she continued. "A recent report from my home city Houston, Texas showed that COVID-19 within city limits, 57% of fatal cases are African American. Please protect yourselves. We are one family and we need you. We need your voices, your abilities and your strength all over this world."

Beyoncé concluded her message with hope, saying, "I know it's very hard, but please be patient, stay encouraged, keep the faith, stay positive and continue to pray for our heroes. Goodnight and God Bless you."

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