A Republican senator is under fire after asking in the Ohio senate if "the coloured population" is contracting coronavirus at disproportionate rates because they do not wash their hands "as well as other groups".
The American Civil Liberties Union called for state Senator Steve Huffman to step down from office on Thursday following his comments during a hearing for a resolution to declare racism a public health crisis.
Mr Huffman, who is also a doctor, questioned Angela Dawson, executive director of the Ohio Commission of Minority Health, on Tuesday over the variance in COVID-19 rates.
"Could it just be that African Americans - or the coloured population - do not wash their hands as well as other groups? Or wear masks? Or do not socially distance themselves?" Mr Huffman asked during Senate testimony. "Could that just be the explanation of why there's a higher incidence?"
Ms Dawson, who is black, responded, "That is not the opinion of leading medical experts in this country."
Ms Dawson was among a number of people testifying in support for the resolution that would establish a variety of resources to address racism in the state.
In a statement, the 55-year-old Mr Huffman said he regretted how his question was perceived.
"I asked a question in an unintentionally awkward way that was perceived as hurtful and was exactly the opposite of what I meant," the senator said. "I was trying to focus on why COVID-19 affects people of colour at a higher rate since we really do not know all the reasons."
Democratic Representative Stephanie Howse, president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, noted that the resolution to declare racism an issue of public health is trying to address and resolve comments like Mr Huffman's.
As a result of Tuesday's hearing, Ms Howse and the Legislative Black Caucus called for legislators of both chambers to immediately take racial equity and implicit bias training.
The ACLU of Ohio took it one step further and called for Mr Huffman's resignation on Thursday morning.
"His explicitly racist comment, which invoked deeply troubling sentiments and imagery, is reprehensible, and any Ohio lawmaker who holds such abhorrent views must be held accountable," the organisation said in a press release.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits. Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
