It is inevitable that poorer communities are hit the hardest when a crisis occurs. Whether it is a natural disaster, economic recession, or pandemic, communities of lower income are impacted far greater than any other. Unemployment rates in this country are increasing drastically, the 2.2 million students who depend on the free /low-cost meals from their schools will not have that option due to the government shutdown, and the stimulus check will not be enough for most working families; working families that contribute to economic growth.
Then there is health.
As we all know, anyone can catch the COVID-19 virus, this respiratory disease does not discriminate. However, older adults (typically ages 65 and up) and anyone with preexisting medical conditions are at higher risk for severe infection from the disease. Across the country, children and adults in vulnerable communities have medical illnesses like asthma, lung disease, and mesothelioma because of environmental injustice/racism.
Why? In America, pollution is segregated. Power plants, industries, factories, etc. that emit toxic pollutants into the air people breathe and the water people drink are strategically designed in communities that are underrepresented. Black communities have long been treated as dump yards and waste sites and many are wondering why African Americans account for disproportionate deaths of COVID-19 in the country. In Chicago, Black Americans represent 70% of COVID-19 deaths, but are only 30% of the statewide population. This is observed in other cities throughout the country, and environmental racism is one of the factors as to why.
Nicetown, a neighborhood located in northwestern Philadelphia, is an example. Nearly 1 in 3 children in this 19140-zip code have been diagnosed with asthma due to reasons that include SEPTA’s the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) nearby bus garage that holds up to 300 buses, and the Roosevelt Expressway; both emitting toxic pollutants into the air.
Another example is how teachers and students across the country are diagnosed with mesothelioma because their school buildings are filled with environmental health hazards like asbestos, mold, and lead.
These people are at higher risk for serious illness from coronavirus all because of their zip code. This is one of the many reasons why the virus is disproportionally killing African Americans at an alarming rate. Given that environmental injustice targets the poor, how are they expected to cover medical costs if they’re uninsured and tested positive for the virus?
We can also learn from previous outbreaks that air pollution increases the chances of one dying from corona viruses.
A study from 2003 found that patients “who lived in moderately polluted areas were 84% more likely to die from SARS than people from lightly polluted areas. And if you lived in a heavily polluted area, then you were twice as likely to die.” (Living Planet, Deutsche Welle)
There are several examples, but the point is that everything is interconnected and unfortunately, unfair. Climate change, the pandemic, the economy, health care, socioeconomic status, etc., all impact one another like dominoes. It is why we need to change the narrative when discussing climate change and environmental justice. It is not only a global issue, but a local and health one as well. We saw that with Flint and now with this global pandemic.
What the world is experiencing must be recognized as a lesson as to what happens when elected officials are not proactive and refuse to take scientists seriously. This is what happens when they do not believe in science and do not act fast enough. This is not politics. We cannot sit down with the virus and discuss money or trade deals to convince it to stop spreading by Easter Sunday (POTUS). The same goes with climate change; we cannot negotiate with nature. It will do as it pleases and retaliate if neglected. The planet is like a car or the human body, it will perform at its best when taken care of. Clearly, you cannot select another body once yours has given up, and we cannot pack our bags and move to Mars once Earth acts the same. As oil prices are tanking, falling below zero for the first in history, this is an opportunity to create green jobs instead of trying to save oil industries and freaking out over stock prices. As I stated before, COVID-19 does not discriminate, as well as climate change. As a universal issue, every single person is a possible target, no matter of your status or prestige. The Prime Minister and Prince of England both tested positive for the virus. Therefore humanity must be the centralized motive when confronting these issues. Social distancing is not only helping yourself but everyone around you, and like climate change, what we do here is impacting others across the globe.
Let us spread awareness and continue to uplift one another during these times. For one, many do not have that voice, and two, several are not listening. The power is in numbers. We only have one atmosphere, one planet, and one human race, so let’s act like it.
WAITING TO XHALE 