The Pandemic Is Devastating Latino Communities

Sonali Kolhatkar speaks with Dr. Manuel Pastor about how the pandemic is devastating Latino communities.

Racial disparities in Covid-19 infections and deaths are stark especially for black and brown communities.

Now, even as the Republican Party seeks to downplay the pandemic or act as though it is in the past, disturbing statistics show that it continues to ravage communities of color.

Today Sonali focuses on Latinos in the US who, like Black Americans are disproportionately impacted.

In the state of California, which has the largest Latino population in the nation, this demographic is particularly hard hit.

A new UCLA study found that virus-related deaths among working-age Latino adults in California had multiplied disturbingly. Key to this grim conclusion is that Latinos are disproportionately represented in essential work forces and face higher rates of exposure.

Dr. Manuel Pastor is the Director of USC’s Equity Research Institute and member of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery, tasked with ensuring statewide COVID recovery plans prioritize economic and racial equity.

Rising Up with Sonali is a radio and television show that brings progressive news coverage rooted in gender and racial justice to a wide audience. Rising Up With Sonali was built on the foundation of Sonali Kolhatkar's earlier show, Uprising, which became the longest-running drive-time radio show on KPFK in Los Angeles hosted by a woman. RUS airs on Free Speech TV every weekday.

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