How is COVID-19 impacting the Latinx/Hispanic community in America?
- From the time COVID-19 reached the United States, members of minority communities have been disproportionately affected by its effects. This New York Times article documents an Oregon physician’s experience of how the coronavirus has taken a significant toll on Latinxs and other minority groups.
- Latinx communities in the US devastated by COVID-19 – CNN
- This article documents the risk factors that Latinxs are facing within some of the most affected areas of America. From having “essential” jobs that predispose them to people who could be ill with the coronavirus to not being able to work from home, this piece highlights some of the biggest issues that Hispanics are confronting.
- How the Coronavirus Crisis is Impacting the Latinx Community – NPR
- COVID-19: A Hispanic Perspective by Conill
- Hispanics are coping with COVID-19 in ways unique to their community. Learn about how they are incorporating traditions and a sense of togetherness to endure the pandemic.
- How the economic and health imbalances affecting Hispanics have impacted their outcomes in battling coronavirus:
Why has coronavirus had such an impact on Latinxs across the US?
- COVID-19 has disproportionately shocked the Hispanic community across America. Infection rates among members of this group are significantly higher than rates seen in white Americans. Several of the factors contributing to the large disparity seen in the number of Hispanic cases as compared to other groups include having limited access to healthcare and unemployment resources, as well as being workers in occupations that are considered essential. Latinxs that fall into these categories are prevented from taking leave from work to recover from being ill and quarantining after potential exposures to the coronavirus.
- These structural issues have contributed to the extremely high number of Hispanic patients hospitalized and diagnosed with COVID-19 across the US, especially in states like Florida, Oregon, New York, and New Jersey.
- Some reports claim that “in some areas of the US, Covid-19 is killing Latinxs at up to three times the rate that it is killing white people.” – The Guardian
- A reminder of the specific challenges the Latinxs must face:
- Many Hispanics are afraid to seek out treatment if they suspect they have contracted coronavirus because they are uninsured and unable to cover the hefty medical expenses that would be incurred.
- An additional risk for some is fear of being exposed as undocumented and reported to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.
Resources for Latinxs/Hispanics
- This website highlights organizations that are providing financial relief and food resources to those in need during this time, as well as information about COVID-19 testing, recommended health practices, and more. Additionally, the information provided is in Spanish.
- Giving Kitchen has compiled resources ranging from legal and financial support to mental health and job opportunities for Hispanic individuals negatively affected by the pandemic.
- This CDC document, written in Spanish, describes what individuals should do if they feel they are infected with or have been exposed to COVID-19. It details guidelines such as quarantining, sanitation practices, and proper prevention measures in an easy-to-read format.
- This link to the CDC Youtube page includes 22 videos in Spanish to educate members of the Hispanic community about the current coronavirus pandemic. The videos even explore topics such as maternal-fetal transmission, the virus effects on children, and how to care for loved ones affected by COVID-19.
- Emory students have been translating graphics about COVID-19 into Spanish. Resources can be found on MEdSinFrontera Twitter account.
Other Resources
Harvard Medical School has created a learning module that includes information about the various vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Language barriers are also important to address so that all communities can have accurate information on COVID-19. Below are COVID-19 resources for many different languages:
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