The COVID-19 pandemic is really two crises – a health crisis and economic one. As we near a recovery moment to begin anew, opening not just shuttered stores, but economic opportunity – the first acts will center around testing – which is at the intersection of the health and economic crises. It will be some time before everybody can be tested. And after we get past those with symptoms or exposure and health-care workers, including home health-care workers, nursing home aides, and the cleaners and janitors in these facilities, current workforce needs and equity and fairness concerns mean low-income people of color should be included in the early-testing wave.
PolicyLink’s commentary on COVID-19 & Race explores this test of our nation’s character, the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on people of color, and strategies for a just, fair, and inclusive recovery.
