Among the big factors behind the disproportionate impact, said Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health, many community members work in essential jobs like farming, food processing and construction that can’t be done remotely or by social distancing. Cases are also more likely to spread because sizable numbers live relatively close to each other, if not in the same house or apartment.
Dr. Galea said many people in these communities have limited access to testing and doctors. And many are also at higher risk of developing severe cases because they suffer from conditions like heart disease, asthma and diabetes, he said.
“The disproportionate rates of Covid is largely due to the fact that these communities have much greater exposure, but also because recognizing that risk, we have not put in place compensatory mechanisms to offer testing, services and opportunities for information to these communities,” Dr. Galea said.