In: Economics
how does COVID-19 affect the economic status of black american
Black Americans had an unemployment rate that was nearly twice the national rate, even before Covid-19 hit the US in full force and as the overall unemployment rate hit record lows. The black unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in February 2020, when the overall unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, a 50-year low. The white rate of unemployment was 3.1%. Usually, the average ratio between the national unemployment rate and the black unemployment rate is similar to two to one
The reason African Americans bear the brunt of downturns more is that the least trained and those with the least experience appear to be let go first when firing decisions start to occur. Workers of color, particularly black Americans, have long been over-represented in the lowest-paid service and domestic occupations, such as taxi drivers and restaurant servers. Working in these fields leads to lower wages – black Americans have any racial group's lowest median wage in the US and jobs are often seen as the most expensive during an economic downturn.
Black families are particularly vulnerable to economic
downturns, as they lack the savings that can be used as a buffer
against unexpected layoffs or lost wages. And they lost ground
against their white peers during the last recuperation. Getting
less money also has some dire implications for your wellbeing.
Poorness has costly effects on a person 's health: it can cost up
to 15 years of life expectancy for the adults living in extreme
poverty.
Black Americans who are less likely to be covered and more likely
to have chronic health problems than their white counterparts have
seen higher mortality rates than any other population in the US due
to Covid-19. Black Americans accounted for 25 percent of Covid-19
deaths in the US though they make up just under 13 percent of the
US population.