COVID-19 infections in California have spiked over the weekend. Latinos and African-American communities are hit more than twice. This forced California Governor to order closures of establishments. 

(Photo : Reuters Connect)

MSNBC News reports that people living in low-income neighborhoods are four times higher to get infected compared to the wealthy neighborhood. Specifically, Latinos and African-Americans are hit more than twice compared to White Americans because of their essential jobs in the state. 

COVID-19 infections in California has already reached approximately 237,280 as of this time. Meanwhile, it has claimed 6,163 lives according to worldometers.

The Los Angeles Times reports also that 38 out every 100,000 California Latino residents are infected. This is also the very first time that Latinos have surpassed the African-Americans in terms of COVID-19 infections. Meanwhile,white people are less infected with the virus. 

Moreover, of nearly 40 million people living in California, 39 percent of them are Latinos according to the Public Policy Institute of California. The report also shows that Latino community is one of the most vulnerable groups along with the African-Americans.

Increase of Infections Among the Latino Workers

The increase of infections among the Latinos in California is due to the nature of their jobs where work-at-home is impossible. Most Latinos in California work as helpers and farmers which means that they are highly exposed to the public. 

Fox News reports that California Governor Gavin Newsom asked officials in Imperial County, a farming region, last week to impose stricter measures to combat COVID-19. 

In data obtained from Nuestra Comunidad, there are over 14,000 farmworkers across California. Latin Post reported also earlier this year that farmers asked for personal protective equipment to keep them protected from COVID-19 while they are on the American field planting and harvesting.

California Governor Newsom Orders Closures of Establishments

California Governor Gavin Newsom immediately announced to close bars, nightlife locations, and other non-essential establishments. This is after the increase of COVID-19 infections in the state over that last two weeks that have already marked to over 237,000.

Additionally, restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment venues, zoos, museums, and cardrooms were also ordered on Wednesday to pause their operations. 

This order affects 19 counties in the state and these are:

  • Contra Costa
  • Fresno
  • Glenn
  • Imperial
  • Kern
  • Kings
  • Los Angeles
  • Merced
  • Orange
  • Riverside
  • Sacramento
  • San Bernardino
  • San Joaquin
  • Santa Barbara
  • Santa Clara
  • Solano
  • Stanislaus
  • Tulare
  • Ventura

However, Newsom clarified that the order to close restaurants does not mean shutting down their operations. Rather move their activities outdoors to mitigate the spread of the virus. 

The infection rate increased by nearly 50 percent due to more testing in California. This is aside from the state reopening. 

Moreover, health officials reimpose safety protocols ahead of the busy weekend. Beaches in Los Angeles County will be closed beginning Friday to avoid virus contagion. 

Additionally, parking facilities at the state beaches in Southern California and the Bay Area will also be closed for the upcoming weekend. 

The order of California Governor Gavin Newsom to close some establishments will lead to another problem for Latinos in the state, lost of job. Do you think that Newsom's order to close the establishments will help Latinos in the state?

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