Black and Latinx Individuals Increasingly Worried About Impact of COVID-19 on Career; Potential Spike in New Disabilities Due to Pandemic; and More

More than 50% of Blacks and Latinx individuals significantly worried about finances and career prospects due to pandemic.

COVID-19 continues to be top of mind for most of the country, especially as cases appear to be worsening in our current third wave of the illness. But a new survey of more than 2,000 men and women by the American Staffing Association shows that it is still people of color who are feeling the effects of the virus the most. According to the report, 65% of Latinx individuals and 58% of Blacks are highly worried about being able to pay their rent or mortgage on time, compared to just 44% of whites. Finding work for those who have lost employment also remains a major stressor, with 68% of Latinx and 54% of Blacks saying it was something they were concerned about, compared to just 45% of whites. “We hope these findings lead to more support for these groups to help alleviate some of these financial and work worries for the long term — not just during the current pandemic-caused economic recession,” said Richard Wahlquist, the association’s CEO, in an interview with CNBC.

 

More than 165,000 people who have contracted COVID-19 may end up at least partially disabled, new report warns.

As if the number of deaths and infections from COVID-19 weren’t startling enough, a new report by the National Council on Compensation Insurance warns that out of every 100 people who develop a coronavirus infection, two individuals may end up with some degree of permanent partial disability. To put that figure in context, with current infection rates topping 8.26 million, that means that more than 165,000 people may end up at least partially disabled following their COVID-19 incubation period. The insurance trade publication, Claims Journal reported that the NCCI warning is based on the assumption that COVID-19 infections might cause similar long-lasting side effects within those infected as other lung illnesses like the flu. If that projection in disability claims holds true, the NCCI estimates that the financial cost of this year’s pandemic to states and insurance providers could increase by an additional $4-5 billion.

 

White House plan to slash food stamps for 700,000 unemployed Americans struck down in federal court.

Chief U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell has formally struck down a recent Trump administration attempt to end food stamps for nearly 700,000 unemployed Americans. In a 67-page ruling, Howell condemned the proposal by the Agriculture Department, calling it “arbitrary and capricious” The Washington Post reported. In a statement following the announcement, New York Attorney General Letitia James called Howell’s ruling “a win for common sense and basic human decency,” adding that the proposal “would have not only made it harder for thousands to feed their families and risk them going hungry, but would have exacerbated the public health crisis we face and the economic recession we are still in the midst of under President Trump.” 

 

Disney doubles-down on their disclaimer for racist content within its classic film library.

Disney has updated the content advisory it previously placed last fall in front of select films on its streaming service, Disney+. While the previous disclaimer read: “This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions,” the new warning has been strengthened considerably, saying: “This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now.” The BBC reports that films carrying the warning include a number of animated classics such as The Aristocats (which features a Siamese cat named Shun Gon that is drawn as a racist caricature of an Asian person); Peter Pan (which refers to Native people as “redskins” and includes scenes of white children dancing in headdresses); and The Jungle Book (which includes an ape character named King Louie who has been criticized for being a racist caricature of African-Americans). 

 

D.I. Fast Fact

85%
Amount anti-Asian rhetoric and conspiracy theories increased by on Twitter following President Donald Trump’s recent COVID-19 diagnosis.
Anti-Defamation League

 

Are you registered to vote? Vote.org provides a number of resources for voters including a state-by-state rundown of important dates and regulations to know, plus information on registering to vote, how to successfully vote by mail and more. For more info, go to vote.org.

 

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