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Connecticut’s richest residents got richer while poorest residents got poorer during pandemic, survey finds
Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant, Feb. 13
DataHaven’s 2021 Community Wellbeing Survey underscored the uneven burden that people of color, particularly those that are poor, have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Roughly a quarter of adults who live in urban towns struggled with economic and food security. Conversely, more than a third of those who earn more than $100,000 reported being better off financially than they were in February of 2020.
Evictions hit renters of color, women hardest in Connecticut, report shows
Ginny Monk, CT Insider, Feb. 10
A new report from the CT Data Collaborative revealed that Black renters are more than three times more likely to face eviction than white renters, while Hispanic renters are more than twice as likely to face eviction compared to their white counterparts. The first-time analysis, which focuses on data from 2017 to 2021, also showed that evictions were more likely to happen to women.
Why millions on Medicaid are at risk of losing coverage in the months ahead
Rachana Pradhan, Kaiser Health News, Feb. 14
Before the pandemic, states regularly reviewed whether people still qualified for Medicaid. The pandemic paused that practice for two years. However, the public health emergency will soon end and states will resume the redetermination process. The transition to other coverage isn’t automatic, and many people who are already marginalized may fall through the cracks and become uninsured.
Fewer Americans say public health officials doing excellent or good job responding to the virus: poll
Monique Beals, The Hill, Feb. 10
As the world enters its third year of living with COVID-19, a new survey showed that only 50% of people said public officials, including the CDC, were doing an excellent or good job. This is a 10 point drop since last summer and an even sharper drop since the start of the pandemic. The survey also showed that 60% of respondents have been confused about changes to COVID-19 policies.
COVID precautions are part of Hispanic community’s effort to tend to community good
Sarah True, Kaiser Health News, Feb. 14
Testing sites across the country have recently recognized that some Latino groups strongly value the notion of taking care of others. Yet despite cultural beliefs, Latino people still remain at higher risk of contracting the virus and barriers to vaccination. Culturally credible outreach efforts have helped increase access to testing and the vaccine.