Covid-19 And The Underserved: We Are Not All In This Together – Forbes

48 Million Americans live in poverty. What will happen to them during the coronavirus pandemic?

The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new phraseWe are all in this together. The first time I saw the phrase I thought about the 48 million Americans living below the poverty line and tens of millions more who are one paycheck away from it. I thought about underserved black and brown communities that perpetually face health inequities and higher rates of chronic health conditions. And what about the grocery store clerks, truck drivers and others who keep the essentials of society humming while the rest of the world is hunkered down staying home? Is Were all in this together really a moment of togetherness or is it just a nice, supportive sentiment?

Interviews with three leaders of health and social service-related organizations for the underserved highlight how we are not quite all in this together. Pandemic policies do not give full consideration to the unique needs of underserved communities, particularly the homeless. Consequently, they are unintentionally omitted from our moment of national COVID-19 solidarity.

When asked why we so often forget about the needs of underserved communities,Dionne Reeder, the CEO ofFar Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, a family support agency in Washington, DCsaid, Its not that we forget about the poor. The problem is we dont plan for the poor.

The impact of this failure to plan is tangible in the stories Reeder shared about the challenges they are seeing on the ground. She says her staff spends most of their time helping people navigate the financial impact of the pandemic which leads to other health consequences like anxiety, depression and frustration with the drastic change in daily routines. Last week a working mother, forced to be home with children, reached a breaking point and asked for their support to help cope with her new way of living. As with many other working parents experiencing a sudden cultural shift in their way of living, shed never been in this situation before with children home all day and was not equipped for home schooling. Reeders organization helped her navigate the situation emotionally and psychologically.

Reeder recalled a news story that for her, highlighted the disconnect between how the mainstream media portrays and discusses the pandemic and the realities her clients face. The news story advised people to quarantine in a room with a private bathroom. Reeder noted this is an impossibility for millions of people not just the poor. She also believes culturally the idea of social distancing is different among her clients because so many live in social environments in which social distancing is not feasible.

Christy Respress, the Executive Director ofPathways to Housing DCagrees with Reeder and highlighted a range of social issues impacting the homeless that are probably not top of mind for most Americans. She says, It is difficult to tell clients to stay home, socially isolate and wash their hands throughout the day when many of them live in shelters and have no home. When they hear those things, they may feel its impossible for them to stay safe from the virus. Some of Pathways clients housed in shelters feel its safer to sleep outside because it is impossible to practice social distancing in a shelter. There is also a concern social distancing and stay home orders exacerbate the baseline social isolation experienced by many homeless people.

Respress says closing non-essential businesses led to an unintended domino effect that collapsed the informal support infrastructure for their clients. When social distancing and stay home orders were implemented, the social safety net gradually disappeared. Many homeless people rely on the unspoken social cooperation sustained by neighborhood activity like people shopping and going to and from work. Altruistic gestures from strangers passing by each day whether buying a meal or offering pocket change, weave a thread of support that doesnt exist right now.When people dont shop and dont go to work, no one is around to help. Respress also worries this decrease in support may destabilize some emotionally and result in spikes in substance use. In addition, bathroom access, something most take for granted, becomes a challenge when the usual sources at retail establishments and restaurants are no longer available.

Another challenge related to pandemic mitigation efforts is adhering to advice to stock up on food. People on fixed incomes cannot stock up on food and for many the food supply will be depleted by months end.

Luckily, organizations likeMarthas Tablehave been able to help address food scarcity during the pandemic. Since the pandemic onset, the organization has seen a 300% increase in the need for food support.Kim Ford, Marthas Table CEO says, COVID-19 has hit the underserved very hard because this community has no cushion to absorb an economic downturn. Ford says most of their clients are not as concerned about infection from coronavirus as they are about job loss resulting in unexpected loss of financial security.

Having agencies like these on the frontlines is a gift for those with little means to protect themselves from coronavirus. As this pandemic rages on with unknown speed and devastation, we cant forget the most vulnerable who need even more support. Being in this pandemic together means leaving no one behind and acknowledging the slightest twist of fate could shift the financial and social circumstances for any one of us. So if we are all in this together, this cant be just a slogan. We must include, plan for and protect our most vulnerable too.

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Covid-19 And The Underserved: We Are Not All In This Together - Forbes