An Ohio lawmaker is getting slammed on social media, after asking if the “colored population” is being hit hardest by COVID-19 because they don’t “wash their hands as well.” Republican State Senator Steve Huffman made the comments on Tuesday, during a hearing on whether or not Ohio should declare racism a public health crisis.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Huffman — who is also a doctor — made the comments while locked in discussion with Angela Dawson, executive director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. He stated that he understands how “African Americans have a higher incidence of prior conditions,” which make them “more susceptible to COVID, but does not make them more susceptible just to get COVID.” He then added: “We know it’s twice as often, correct? Could it just be that African Americans — the colored population — do not wash their hands as well as other groups?”
Videos by PopCulture.com
Huffman continued to offered examples in the form of a question, expressing his wonder if the Black community is not wearing masks in public or not following social distance guidelines. He later issued a statement, explaining that he “regrettably” asked his questions “in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful.” He stated how this “was exactly the opposite” of what he meant. Many have since taken to Twitter to express their thoughts on Huffman’s comments. Scroll down to see what they are saying.
Ohio Republican Steve Huffman asked about higher coronavirus rates among blacks: “Could it just be that the colored population do not wash their hands as well as other groups?” When can we wash our hands of these racists? https://t.co/OqjSFMsviN
— Duty To Warn 🔉 (@duty2warn) June 11, 2020
Why? Why would this man ask something like that?
— 🇺🇸🇵🇷 Name is Bishop🌊 (@BishesBrew) June 11, 2020
Y’all see that, right?
It’s 2020 and an elected official is speaking the language of the 1950’s. What next; is he going to ask he if we have tails or an extra ligament that allows to jump higher and run faster…. and people wonder how legislation gets passed that specifically hurt black people.
— JoeCuban (@JBSmartMoney) June 11, 2020
Racists say and do Racists agenda. Sort a makes it easy to spot them. Even easier to Vote them out. Vote !
— JJ Slyde (@SlydeJj) June 11, 2020
AND a doctor. He’s a poster child for the discrimination against Black people that creates health disparities.
— whetstone (@whetstone) June 11, 2020
Was there a 1950’s time capsule with an automatic open date of 2020? It’s spilling its contents.
— Barack In The Tan Suit 🤔 (@socawarrior06) June 11, 2020
If there is anything I’ve learned over the past few years, it’s that the bar for election to the legislature is very low.
— Lorie 🐨 (@LorieBethBishop) June 11, 2020
I can’t even begin to imagine what this guy’s bedside manner is like. Good grief.
— Gabriela D. Lemus Ph.D. (@GabrielaDLemus) June 11, 2020
The 1950s are calling, they want this doctor back 🙄
— Kathy Scolley (@dinkspal) June 11, 2020
Come on Ohio. This guy?
— E. Anderson (@joellama4) June 11, 2020
I went to Columbus to testify at the Ohio Senate as a proponent declaring #racism a public health crisis. when Sen. Huffman made the statements in this article there were audible gasps. I pulled my mask down and mouthed WTF to one of our State Reps present for the testimony.
— #Biden2020 (@hmsheehan) June 11, 2020
Vote. Him. Out.
— Ruh Roh (@03purplejazzMIM) June 11, 2020
At the earliest possible opportunity.
By a landslide.
Well lets hope thats the last we hear from him…
— Hola Davi (@davidihales) June 11, 2020
Better wash that man right out of his congressional seat….
— Mary Nurse (@merrynocnurse) June 11, 2020
