COVID-19 is especially hard on poor people

This is partially due to limited access to care and treatment, which should concern us all

Photo by H Shaw on Unsplash

We all know, from eight-plus months of stories and endless information on the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, that it’s a so-called equal opportunity sickness: it strikes everyone, regardless of age, gender, or economic circumstances. Unfortunately it is also unavoidably true — as in the cases of many illnesses — that poor people are more likely to suffer and possibly die from the virus.

Perhaps this is not the case in other industrialized countries, such as in Europe, Asia, and others that have socialized health care. But it is a fact of life here in the U.S. that medical care is so ridiculously expensive that it’s practically a luxury. Therefore, the economic situations of some people in this country mean that poor people have less access to medical care, might not have health insurance, or they lack the resources to get to a medical facility to get tested and/or cared for. Sad, but true, and maybe not many of the more “more well-to-do people” think much about it. Though they should.

Some might argue with this and say, you can order tests online, which is true. But not everybody has the internet and/or a computer or smartphone and therefore they cannot access tests or register for testing online. I live in a rural area and I actually know some people who are not internet-savvy, etc. Because I know this, it is irritating to me that these people are deprived of things that those of us with computer knowledge have access to.

Everyone who is technologically capable seems to assume that everyone else can use a computer, download apps, surf the Web … but they are wrong. And I believe assuming that everyone is on board with technology is short-sighted and not serving poor people who maybe can’t afford computers, smartphones, and internet access. Or those who have no interest in learning to use computers (yes, I know it’s their choice, but still).

This came to my mind last week while I was online ordering a do-it-yourself COVID testing kit. It made me think of those who can’t do what I was doing because they aren’t online. A few months ago I was on the internet to make an appointment to be tested at a nearby free testing site. Because said site was 13 miles…