Five reasons why immigrants are most affected by COVID-19

As the cases of coronavirus continue to see a downward trend around the world and in the US, several studies now have emerged with more specific details on the classes of population that are severely affected by the virus. In the US, states that report a high number of cases have now come to see the subset of the sickened groups and surprisingly, there is strong evidence which suggests that immigrants, undocumented or not, are one of those who took the huge hit.

Here are some of the few reasons:

1.) Most immigrant households are multi-generational. Older parents live with their married children and their grandchildren and other relatives. Usually, they live in one house with room sharing with the other families. There is also very limited space for isolation when one family member gets sick or feels the symptoms of COVID-19.

2.) Most immigrants work in low-paying essential jobs. While the rest of the country stays home, businesses and industries considered essential are still open. Workers at restaurants, meat packing plants, farms, janitorial services and other basic services still report to work for fear of being laid off or unemployed. Some still went to work even if they felt they may be experiencing symptoms but had to do so to support their families.

3.) Undocumented immigrants are reluctant to have themselves checked and tested for the virus as they are very worried that their immigration status may be asked and that would lead to them being deported.

4.) Some do not have health insurance and are apprehensive as to the cost of the test and subsequent hospitalization. They would prefer to just wait out the symptoms if these subside and then just go to the emergency room at the last minute when they feel that they can no longer bear it.

5.) Contact tracing is particularly difficult in immigrant groups. Language barrier, distrust of the system, frequent changes in address and contact numbers are just a few of the reasons why you can’t fully track down the individuals who came in contact with positive cases. Another huge reason also is the cost of the disruption in their daily lives that an isolation or quarantine can cause such as lost wages, separation from families, and again, the fear of their immigration status being checked.

I hope that the states would have a more vigorous effort in reaching out to immigrant communities as part of the strategies to combat the coronavirus. If there is a segment in the general public that needs to be educated further, tested, and supported more, it is the immigrant population that has to be at the forefront. If we don’t do that, we could still be seeing spikes and clusters of cases as we transition to opening up our country and our economy.