"Tonight, we celebrate true heroes. Those who are making the ultimate sacrifice to keep us all safe, fed, and healthy. To the doctors, the nurses, and other health care workers who are away from their families taking care of ours, we continue to pray for your safety," she said.
"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," the singer added.
"Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home," Beyoncé noted. "And African American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis. Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk."
"This virus is killing black people at an alarmingly high rate here in America," she stated.
The 38-year-old cited a recent report that showed that 57 percent of the coronavirus-related deaths from her home city, Houston, were African Americans.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and White House health adviser, acknowledged the alarming disparity earlier this month.
“Please protect yourselves,” Beyoncé continued. “We are one family. We need you. We need your voices, your abilities, and your strength all over this world. I know it’s very hard but please be patient, stay encouraged, keep the faith, stay positive, and continue to pray for our heroes.”
