The coronavirus has had no shortage of lives claimed, and this week, a sister to U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters has died from COVID-19 complications, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.   

Waters grew up in a family with 13 siblings. A name has yet to be given that identifies the deceased, but the California representative had stated last month that her sister was succumbing to her infection in a hospital in Missouri, as Blavity previously reported. 

"I am going to take a moment to dedicate this legislation to my dear sister who is dying in a hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, right now infected by the coronavirus," said Waters while introducing a bill that would provide additional relief from the economic devastation of the virus. 

Waters wore gloves and a mask, and she appeared to choke up with emotion while dedicating the legislation to her sister. 

More recently, Waters spoke with theGrio about her sister’s passing and about how the virus has particularly affected the Black community. 

“It is one of the most painful things that I’ve ever had to experience in my life,” Waters said. “She had suffered. And so we are going through a very difficult time. It was not easy, but in many ways, I’m so glad she’s out of pain.”

Waters went on to note that her sister was living in an assisted care facility, an arrangement many Black elders find themselves in due to necessity although that care is not ideal for pandemic conditions. 

“The nursing home is the only place we have for many of our seniors, many of whom have outlived their families. That’s where they go. And now these nursing homes are like a petri dish for the continued development of this virus that is killing us,” said Waters.

She went on to say that her sister’s service will take place in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

The representative noted that Black people are more vulnerable to the disease for a number of reasons, namely preexisting conditions and structural inequities. 

“We are disproportionately vulnerable,” she said. “And why is that? We don’t have health insurance. Oftentimes, we can’t afford it. We don’t work on a job where it’s available to us. And so we are doing whatever we can do, going to the emergency room trying to find a free federal clinic that can help us.”

As a solution, the congresswoman emphasized that the Black community must take care of itself by taking safety precautions seriously. 

The Democratic representative also didn’t mince words about President Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic. 

“Watching television oftentimes gets to be too much for me because the president has too much time on television spouting lies, distortions, disrespectful — not even taking time out to be sympathetic and send his condolences to those who have died,” Waters said. 

“The president of the United States does not care. He does not care about these deaths,” she said further. 

This is not the first time Waters has criticized Trump for what many would consider his botched handling of COVID-19, as Blavity has often reported. 

In March, Waters gave Trump a Twitter lashing by pointing out how he has had to amend his stance on COVID-19 several times due in large part to him not operating under expert advice. 

"Trump, so now you’re expanding the social distancing order? Another correction b/c of your ignorant hunches. You said we'd be safe by Easter!" she wrote. "Experts always have to clean up after your 'hunches.' Keep your hunches 2 yourself & don’t waste experts' time correcting your stupidity!"

You can watch the congresswoman's interview below. 

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