The Coronavirus Shows the Country Needs a New War on Poverty

The Coronavirus does not care if you are a Republican or Democrat.

It does not care if you are old or young.

It does not care what religion you subscribe to.

It does not care where you live.

It does not care what race or income group you belong to.

Sorta on the last one.

Recent studies released by the  Center for Disease Control (CDC) have shown that racial minorities (especially African Americans with pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high blood pressure) have a higher ratio of being hospitalized with the Coronavirus.

According to reporting by ABC News:

“Seventy percent of coronavirus deaths in Milwaukee have been African Americans, even though African Americans are less than a third of the county’s population. Similarly, in Chicago, African Americans are 30 percent of the population but 69 percent of coronavirus deaths; and in Louisiana, African Americans are 32 percent of the population but 70 percent of coronavirus deaths.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer commented that 40 percent of the virus deaths on her state were African American while that group represents 14 percent of the population.

Poor rural areas that are now starting to get the virus in greater numbers are, according to reporting from the Washington Post, in danger of having their local health care systems “overwhelmed.”

In the previously cited ABC report, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, while noting that the majority of the Coronavirus deaths were Hispanic. He also commented on the apparent income inequality present in the patients:

“You know, it always seems that the poorest people pay the highest price. Why is that? Whatever the situation is..( a moment later in reference to the Hurricane Katrina response, the Governor said) “The people standing on those rooftops were not rich white people.” 

Cuomo and the other public servants that have noted the disparities in income level and ethnicity among the Coronavirus patients are right.

Those with financial means that can afford to stay home largely do so.

Others like the (in some cases ill-equipped)heroic health care workers (doctors, nurses, lab techs, medical assistances, hospital custodians) risk their lives every day. Those that do not are usually the heroes making ends meet or working for less than living wages at the grocery store or delivering the pizzas or manning the rural farm.

Many of these heroes have pre-existing health conditions and they can not, because of either the health insurance or monthly bills, afford to leave their positions.

What this virus has made very clear is that there needs to be a new War on Poverty in this country.

This situation can not be allowed to continue where the haves are safe at home and the have nots are left to take their chances.

Public Service leaders, legislators, and candidates should be actively working and campaigning for:

• Universal and affordable access to health care including options to buy into Medicaid or Medicare.
• Paid family and medical leave for everyone at all times when needed.
• Raising the minimum wage to a living one where people (especially those with a pre-existing health condition) can afford to stay home and social distance rather than risk their lives going to work.
• Investments in revitalizing rural and urban communities. These should include funds for community health clinics and increased broadband access for telehealth and education purposes.
• Properly staffing state aid offices and ensuring they can handle large amounts of in-person or online traffic.
• Greater preparedness for the next pandemic that includes ready supplies in-  testing, safety gear, and medical supplies so everyone can get readily treated everywhere.

Incumbent public servants should also be creating the conditions to govern remotely and allow people to vote by mail (online would be better.) Laurie Roberts of AZ Central had a telling piece concerning this issue on April 9, 2020 writing:

“Surely, if grocery store clerks can figure out a way to work, the people who asked to lead us ought to be able to figure out a way to safely reconvene as well.”

It is time for all the elected officials and candidates looking to become them to roll up their sleeves and advance solutions that will narrow the income gap and make everyone safer.

After this public health emergency, no one should have to worry about going to work with a pre-existing health condition again.

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