Washtenaw County, the University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University conducted a study that revealed that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on residents of color in Ypsilanti.
Thestudy found that Black and Latino residents are more likely to have a friend or family member die from COVID-19, to have lost their job during the pandemic, and to have had difficulty with their child’s transition to virtual learning. Marquan Jackson is the director of The Family Empowerment Program at EMU and says the study also revealed that 57% of Black respondents reported not being able to meet a $400 unexpected expense.
Marquan Jackson: With the children being home more, that is a breakfast and lunch that is not happening at schools. So, we’ve seen an uptick in parents experiencing food insecurity as a result of their children being home more. There are costs associated with WiFi.
Jackson says the results of the study have been sent to elected officials in Washtenaw County and community groups to help address the impact COVID-19 is having on residents of color.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
