The Poverty Gap

Before the pandemic, the poverty rate for white individuals was 11 percent, versus nearly 24 percent for Black and Hispanic individuals. After the pandemic started, the estimated poverty rate increased to 12.3% for white people, it has increased to 26.3% for Black people and 26.9% for Hispanic people. In other words, the poverty gap between Whites and Black and Hispanic people have widened during the pandemic.

Covid has changed the lives of every family on the face of this planet; however, if we are going to survive this, we need to face the problem head on.

Poverty is poverty. I’m not saying that one race is more deserving or less deserving than another. What I am saying is that in this post COVID environment, we need solutions that don’t penalize families for having to stay home when their child is sent home for close contact or a family member contracts COVID. Families are still being affected by COVID, both directly and indirectly. People are still losing jobs because they don’t have any protections that keep them employed. Because of this job insecurity, they’re losing their homes too.

We’re all struggling to find a way through this difficult time. For those who worry about losing their jobs or have lost their jobs, for those who are threatened with losing their homes or have lost their homes, having a better job that protects their income and their livelihood provides the stability that every family deserves. We can do better, Hamilton County.

I want to hear from you. What struggles have you faced since the pandemic started? Reach out by using this contact form.