The data are starting to show that the coronavirus is having a disproportionate impact on African Americans. Two caveats. First, beware of using race as a proxy for underlying conditions (various health issues and, a step removed, poverty and geography) that are the real reason for the disparities. Second, beware of blaming discrimination as the sole or even main cause of these underlying conditions, when there are likely many other causes, often cultural and behavioral.

Roger Clegg serves on the board of the Center for Equal Opportunity, where he was formerly president and general counsel.