Six quick— but very important— points about Coronavirus and poverty in the US –– from commondreams.org by Bill Quigley; with thanks to a colleague at WMU-Cooley Law School for her message on this.
The most vulnerable among us simply do not have the same options as the most privileged.
Excerpts:
In the United States, tens of millions of people are at a much greater risk of getting sick from the coronavirus than others. The most vulnerable among us do not have the option to comply with suggestions to stay home from work or work remotely. Most low wage workers do not have any paid sick days and cannot do their work from home. The over two million people in jails and prisons each night do not have these options nor do the half a million homeless people.
One. Thirty-four million workers do not have a single day of paid sick leave. Even though most of the developed world gives its workers paid sick leave there is no federal law requiring it for workers.
Two. Low wage workers and people without a paid sick day have to continue to work to survive.
Three. About 30 million people in the US do not have health insurance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Four. Staying home is not an option for the homeless.
Five. Nearly 2.2 million people are in jails and prisons every day, the highest rate in the world.
Six. Solutions? [The article lists several.]