This 2020, Latinos face not only higher risk and mortality rate compared to other populations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the socioeconomic impacts of the deadly disease.

According to a recent article, the United States' first in-depth poll of the Latino population in America for 2020 revealed that 35 percent of Latino households have already experienced a job loss.

Meanwhile, more than 65 percent of respondents reported having difficulty acquiring necessities such as food, household supplies, or medicine.

The survey was done by Latino Decisions in partnership with SOMOS, the country's largest physician-led health delivery network. Of SOMOS's nearly 3,000 physicians and 800,000 patients, almost all are immigrants or first-generation Americans, and more than two-thirds are Latino.

According to the survey, there is grave concern among Latinos as 59 percent admit they are anxious that someone in their family might become severely infected by the virus.

They do have a reason for raising concern since reports say coronavirus is twice as deadly for Latinos as for their white counterparts.

"It's clear that COVID-19 is not only having a disproportionate effect on the Latino population in relation to their health but also their economic stability. We are doing this work so that we can continue to monitor the overall effects of the coronavirus on the community, respond with the resources we have, and call out to our leaders when changes need to be made," said Henry R. Muñoz III, Co-Founder of SOMOS.

"The impacts from this crisis are going to be felt in the Latino community long after the apex of this disease passes, even more so if we cannot get access to widespread testing. We cannot sit by while members of our community die or are laid off at an alarming rate."


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Latinos in America back the plans to stay at home during this crisis despite the economic hardships they are facing as only 19 percent favor accelerating the nation's return to work, whereas 81 percent said they would keep on doing "whatever we can" to prevent the spread "even if it means more weeks of staying at home."

"The poll's finding that 65 percent of Latino households have felt a negative impact from the shutdown, either losing a job, wages, or a small business, is a sobering confirmation of the economic devastation in our community," said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of UnidosUS. "Our organization will continue to advocate in Congress and with our champions in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to intentionally include more targeted and comprehensive assistance to the Latino community in the next stimulus and relief legislation."

"Especially in densely populated areas like New York City, it is crucial we expand testing and that we push for community care long after the height of the pandemic passes. We need to learn why we are so vulnerable and address the underlying crises that COVID-19 has exposed," said Dr. Ramon Tallaj, Board Chairman of SOMOS. "For example, we run the risk of entire apartment complexes being exposed because the first person who showed symptoms was unable to get a test and find a safe place to quarantine or get medical treatment."

The poll conducted between April 7 to 12, to measure the impact and reactions to COVID-19, is the largest and most comprehensive survey of Latinos conducted on the health and economic crisis confronting the United States. The poll sampled Latino individuals across the country, but with additional sampling in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, and California, where there is a considerable concentration of Latino population.

"This poll has confirmed some of our worst fears. We found that more than 65 percent of the people we spoke to were having some type of difficulty buying basic household necessities, and half of the households had less than $500 in available savings," said Matt Barreto, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Latino Decisions. "The people who we spoke to who have been able to keep their jobs are working at extraordinary risk, with 36 percent of Latinos still working outside the home, many in critical or "essential" jobs in produce, food, and restaurant, or health care sectors. More than a third of those working outside the home report feeling "unsafe" in their work environment because they not been given proper masks, gloves, or other PPE."