Waiting for vaccines, new data shows POC elderly dying of COVID-19 at alarmingly rates

As older adults anxiously await vaccines to protect them, Asian American, African American/Black and Latino older adults in Chicago and statewide are getting sick and dying of COVID-19 at rates much higher than their share of the population, according to a report released Monday.

The sobering statistics – evidence that longstanding inequities have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic – have prompted the creation of a collaboration to urge officials and influencers across the state to find ways to create systemic policy changes on behalf of, and with, older adults of color.

"The disproportionate number of Illinois' older adults of color dying from COVID-19, while heartbreaking, is not an anomaly," said Rosanna Marquez, AARP Illinois State Volunteer President. "It is evidence of longstanding inequities, from the social conditions that lead to poor health to unequal access to quality care, to limited economic resources, which have existed for years."

During a press conference, Marquez and leaders from the groups pledged to do their part to "Disrupt Disparities" in Illinois and create an Illinois where older adults across communities can age with the economic stability, health care resources and digital connectivity they need to lead healthy, stable and rewarding lives. They were joined by Illinois Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins, Sen. Robert Peters, Rep. Theresa Mah and other elected officials.

"We're proud to be a collaborator on this groundbreaking report that shows how structural inequities are impacting older adults across communities of color, including the Asian American community," said Andy Kang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. 

"Asian Americans are often left out of conversations regarding racial disparities due to the 'model minority' myth, when in fact, many are suffering due to economic disparities, lack of resources, and other factors. This report emphasizes the need not only for more data on Asian American communities, but more disaggregated data, to really understand the impact of these disparities on our communities."

Another study in San Francisco showed that Asian Americans experience a four times higher case fatality rate (CFR) than that of the overall population (5.2 percent versus 1.3 percent).

Further investigation revealed that the relatively high CFR in San Francisco reflects a pattern found across many states and counties with at least 5 percent of the population Asian American (exhibit 1). The Asian American CFR is three times that of the overall population in California (8.4 percent versus 2.6 percent) and exceeds 10 percent in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and New Jersey. In Clark County, Nevada, the 2.5 times higher CFR results in a proportion of deaths (16.8 percent) that far exceeds Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ (AAPI) share of the population (10.4 percent).

"We've seen that racial economic disparities can accumulate over the course of someone's lifetime to create widening wealth gaps in communities of color," said Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins.

"This study of the experiences and needs of older adults of color is an essential first step in creating an Illinois where older adults can age with financial security, healthcare that meets their needs and the digital resources they need to lead healthy, productive and rewarding lives."

"The COVID-19 public health crisis has wreaked havoc on our older adults of color, and has brought to the forefront the deep disparities that exist in these communities in the areas of health, economic security, and connectivity," said Illinois State Senator Robert Peters. "It has never been more important or more urgent to bring about the systemic and structural change needed to promote equitable solutions for older adults of color and their families."

"Older adults of color have suffered from the effects of disparities that lead to health problems, unequal access to reliable health care and limited economic resources for far too long," said State Rep. Theresa Mah. "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us all the devastating impact of these inequities, and that urgent action must be taken to ensure that our adults of color can live healthy and fulfilling lives."

Collaborators on the "Disrupt Disparities" initiative called for immediate action and recommended policy solutions for many of the disparities outlined in the report from AARP Illinois, the Chicago Urban League, The Resurrection Project and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago.

"We already knew the pandemic was having a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Through this collaboration, we now have research and data that show that senior members in communities of color are perishing at disproportionate rates due to unequal access to healthcare and other longstanding disparities," said Karen Freeman- Wilson, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. "This cannot be acceptable. We must have action to address these disparities and improve the quality of life for older individuals who often are the backbone of our communities."

"This pandemic has exposed and exacerbated widening inequities. In many of our Black and Brown communities, there is limited access to high-quality healthcare, the digital literacy gap is high, and the economic disparities have yet to be addressed," said Raul Raymundo, CEO of The Resurrection Project. "It's very important that our elected officials understand that any recovery effort is seen as an investment in addressing these inequities over the long-term."

According to the new data released Monday, deep disparities exist in the areas of :

COVID-19:
While African American/Black Chicagoans in the 50+ age range account for 7.5% of all recorded COVID-19 cases, they constitute 39.3% of deaths despite representing 37% of Chicagoans 50 and older between March and Dec. 31, 2020.
Hispanic older adults in Chicago accounted for 21% of the population 50 and over, yet made up 31.4% of infections and 32.5% of deaths from COVID-19.

Economic stability:
African American/Black seniors are three times more likely to live in poverty, Latinos and Asian Americans are almost twice as likely as whites.
Almost half of Asian, African American and Latino homeowners over 80 in IL still hold mortgages on their homes, twice as many as whites.

Health:
In Illinois, Asian Americans, African American/Blacks and Latinos suffer significantly higher rates of chronic diseases than their white counterparts. In Chicago, 75 percent of older African Americans and 64 of older Latinos are diagnosed with hypertension.

But older adults of color have limited access to high-quality health care. In urban areas, healthcare providers are concentrated in white neighborhoods; in more rural areas, whites are three times more likely to have access to a car – the highest of any racial or ethnic group.

Connectivity:
More than a third of Illinois African American/Blacks and Latinos over 65 have no internet access at all at home.

The groundbreaking data – the first time all available research on disparities for older adults was collected for such purposes – was compiled by researchers at the Center for Urban Research & Learning, Loyola University Chicago in late 2020.

For a complete copy of the report, visit: www.aarp.org/IL

The Disrupt Disparities report is just the beginning of a multi-year effort to create systemic policy changes on behalf of, and with, older adults of color in Illinois.

The group will host a Disrupt Disparities summit in partnership with the Illinois Department on Aging on April 26-27, hold regular community convenings across the state (Feb. 24, March 3, March 24 and April 10) and engage lawmakers on developing policies to address the problems.

"It's never been more evident that systematic changes are needed to help Illinois' residents of color to live the same longer, healthier and more productive lives as their white counterparts," Marquez said. "AARP is so proud to be working in partnership with Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, the Chicago Urban League and The Resurrection Project to bring attention to the important issues for older adults and fight for these proven solutions."

Covid-19 takes life of Indian American leader

ASAM NEWS

A longtime community leader in the Indian American community has died of COVID-19, reports The Tribune, a publication serving the Indian American community in the Northeast U.S.

“Very sad to learn about the passing away of Ramesh Patel, the Founder Member and Chairperson of Federation of Indian Associations (FIA), after a 2-month long fight against COVID-19. A highly respected Indian American community leader, we will miss him very much. RIP!” India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu tweeted.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu

✔@SandhuTaranjitS

Very sad to learn about the passing away of Ramesh Patel, the Founder Member and Chairperson of Federation of Indian Associations ( FIA) after 2 month long fight against Covid 19. A highly respected Indian American Community leader, we will miss him very much. RIP!

182

6:46 PM - Jun 6, 2020

Twitter Ads info and privacy

46 people are talking about this

According to India West, Patel is also the former president of the National Federation of Indian American Associations which called him “a courageous man who fought many battles but the battle with Covid-19 he could not win.”

Patel won the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2013 and worked in the forensic investigation division of the New York Police Department, reported News18. His friends fondly refer to him as “Kaka.”

He is survived by his wife Sucheta, son Suvas and daughters Manisha and Kunjal. He was 78.

Kamala Harris and Andrew Yang call for a $2,000 stimulus check per month

ASAM NEWS

Former Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Kamala Harris, D-CA, and tech CEO Andrew Yang continued their support for a monthly $2,000 stimulus check during a virtual town hall hosted by The Appeal.

Stimulus checks and regular payment plans have been written in both Harris and Yang’s political platforms. Yang famously ran his presidential campaign on universal basic income, which would provide $1,000 per month to every citizen over 18.

The basic income would have been funded through value-added tax, economic growth and taxes.

“We’re facing a new Great Depression, but there are legislators that have bills on the table that, if enough Americans get behind [them], we can pass today,” Yang said, Inquisitr reported.

Harris has recently introduced legislation that would provide up to $2,000 to each individual. Harris, alongside Senators Bernie Sanders, I-VT, and Ed Markey, D-MA, announced the Monthly Economic Crisis Support Act. It would provide $2,000 a month with an income cap, expanding access to any U.S. resident regardless of tax status and is retroactive to March 2020, according to Forbes.

“The government should be here for the people in a moment of crisis,” Harris, a potential running mate for Joe Biden, said. “People should be able to count on their government to see them and to create a safety net for them, so that these people don’t fall into poverty—or further into poverty—during the course of this pandemic.”

The bill, backed by prominent Democratic senators, may be getting traction in Washington, given the great economic need and an impending recession that economists warned can be devastating.

However, the possibility of the legislation being passed is debated, according to Forbes. Senate Republicans have been opposed to a monthly payment plan, and some Democrats may be adjusting their approach to authorizing unemployment benefits and other programs that would provide relief to the most economically impacted.

CDC warns against the disease of anti-Asian attacks

I was walking down Broadway on a warm winter day in Oakland. Approaching was a woman and man with those surgical masks on. I thought it was strange that they were wearing ihe masks around the neck instead of covering the nose and mouth.

As we passed each other, they deliberately coughed.

A microagression? or was it a genuine case of itchy throat? I couldn't help but think of the timing -- just as they were passing me. Paranoia is growing because of the coronavirus.

Attacks -- minor, like mine to physical altercations are rising as the coronovirus or COVID-19, becomes more prevalent. Xenophobia against Asians is spreading even faster. It is as if the virus has given people permission to openly display their anti-Asian racism.

Business is drastically down at Chinese restaurants. Tourists are noticeably absent from Chinatown streets. From hard resentful glares from fellow commuters to a resurgence (it never went away) of the "Go-back-to-China," expletives, the fear of the virus and anti-Asian bias is on the rise.

My experience was minor compared to some of the stories around the country. It has gotten so bad that the US Centers for Disease Control, the same federal agency fighting the spread of the virus, felt compelled to issue a notice about anti-Asian acts and statements.

"At this time most people in the United States have little immediate risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. However, some people are worried about the disease," reads the notice. "Fear and anxiety can lead to social stigma towards Chinese or other Asian Americans. Stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease (for example, Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans living in the United States).

"Stigma hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem. We can fight stigma and help not hurt others by providing social support. We can communicate the facts that being Chinese or Asian American does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19."

Stigmatized groups may be subjected to:

• Social avoidance or rejection
• Denials of healthcare, education, housing or employment
• Physical violence.

"Stigma affects the emotional or mental health of stigmatized groups and the communities they live in. Stopping stigma is important to making communities and community members resilient," says the CDC.

The Asian American Journalists Association put out guidelines to editors and reporters to refrain from referring to the virus as the Chinese disease, or showing Asian people wearing facemasks.

"This is a global emergency that should be met with both urgency and also cultural awareness that COVID-19 is not isolated to a single ethnic population. Xenophobic attacks and discrimination towards Asian American communities are unacceptable and will not make our families safer or healthier,” said Jeffrey Caballero, executive director of Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO).The CDC has also issued additional guidelines to officials and communicators to:

• Maintain privacy and confidentiality of those seeking healthcare and those who may be part of any contact investigation.
• Quickly communicate the risk or lack of risk from associations with products, people, and places.
• Raise awareness about COVID-19 without increasing fear.
• Share accurate information about how the virus spreads.
• Speak out against negative behaviors, including negative statements on social media about groups of people, or exclusion of people who pose no risk from regular activities.
• Be cautious about the images that are shared. Make sure they do not reinforce stereotypes.
• Engage with stigmatized groups in person and through media channels including news media and social media.
• Thank healthcare workers and responders. People who have traveled to areas where the COVID-19 outbreak is happening to help have performed a valuable service to everyone by helping make sure this disease does not spread further.
• Share the need for social support for people who have returned from China or are worried about friends or relatives in the affected region. 

“Many Asian Americans are just as concerned as everyone else about the coronavirus--even more so considering how in some cases, our extended families could be impacted," said Gregg Orton, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). "But to let someone’s health status be a measure of how American they are is absurd. Mass hysteria will not help, and neither will bigotry.”