A Latin American fitness employee is vaccinated at a press conference to administer the first COVID-19 vaccines to Latino fitness staff at Norwegian American Hospital in Humboldt Park, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Any discussion about recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, such as returning to face-to-face categories and workplaces, social gatherings, for the upcoming holidays; In other words, a return to a kind of “normalcy,” which largely leaves out a key sector of the population: Latinos.
Before the pandemic, Latinos were vital and very vital contributors to Illinois’ overall economic stability and growth, helping not only themselves and their families, but also the communities where they live. But unfortunately, COVID-19 was like a brake set that stopped and slowed down contributions. The Latino community, the state of Illinois, and the country can make you sick.
It is estimated that one in 4 Latino families has suffered from “prolonged COVID. “While Latino employment rates have improved, they have not yet returned to pre-COVID levels. And Latino staff are still overrepresented in essential low-wage jobs that are the greatest threat of exposure to the virus.
These data show potentially dire economic consequences, for each and every community, if Latinos do not get their fair share of the benefits of the pandemic recovery. To better understand the social and economic impact of COVID on Latinos, check out a new report from the Latino Policy Forum.
“Long-Term Socioeconomic Consequences of COVID on the Latino Community: Creating a Way Forward” paints a bright picture of the long-standing inequalities, exposed and amplified through COVID, that pose a risk to the dynamic role Latinos play in society at the local, state and national levels.
Focusing on employment, housing and education, the report presents express policy guidance to address and mitigate the economic damage caused by COVID.
This is an action that recommends prioritizing the following:
● Development of long-term, secure and well-paid jobs
● Access and solid housing
● Access to fitness resources and services
● Access to disability benefits for all those affected by COVID
All of our policy rules are based on the premise that every initiative, awareness, schooling and schooling opportunity will have to be appropriate for a specific community. This means, for example, providing assistance in Spanish and working with local organizations that most productively perceive the wishes of local residents. In this way, not only can communities be better served, but there is an opportunity to expand facilities when there is a transparent perception of the community’s desires.
In addition, all policies and projects should ensure that genuine Latino reports are taken into account. Nowhere is this need more evident than in housing.
Housing policies aimed at reducing homelessness do not contemplate “doubling,” a not unusual phenomenon among Latinos that refers to Americans and families facing homelessness but who have been welcomed by friends and family. Those who are welcome are, in fact, homeless, thank you. to the generosity of others. But this generosity is just a short-term band-aid that underestimates Latinos’ genuine housing desires.
If someone sleeps in a house, they are officially not a homeless person, even if the apartment is not their own. Therefore, Latinos who “double” are left when it comes to receiving facilities and help to save it or eliminate homelessness.
Because the official definition of homelessness and the Latin American experience don’t align, it would be more complicated to mitigate long-term homelessness for some Latinos.
While many of our government, civic, and philanthropic partners have responded to the COVID crisis, COVID is over with us.
Prioritizing policy direction in this report is a first step in ensuring that a comprehensive social and economic recovery from COVID through the Latino network is not only achievable but also equitable.
This is possible, but only if policies are accompanied by a particular commitment for Latinos to get their fair share of the resources they need.
Sylvia Puente is president and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum.
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