It’s no secret that Black people must work harder and pay more to receive the same benefits and opportunity as their White or non-Black peers. This phenomenon is commonly known as the “Black tax.” Unfortunately, it’s becoming clear that the COVID-19 crisis is increasing the cost of being Black in America even more.

The Cut reports that Black Americans Are Disproportionately Dying of Coronavirus. Meanwhile, Black residents in states like Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, and Louisiana are far more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than White residents in these states, according to an article in ProPublica. That’s devastating, but not surprising news. COVID-19 does not discriminate, but people do. If you’re Black in America, you’re less likely to have health insurance and more likely to have conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which increase the risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19. If you’re Black, you’re also more likely to have a low-paying job that requires social contact, and you’re less likely to be able to work from home or have savings that would allow you to stock up on basic supplies and withstand the financial strain of unemployment.