Hong Mei Pang, director of advocacy for Chinese for Affirmative Action, acknowledged the “huge disparity” in how communities are experiencing COVID-19. Pang described race as “really a factor,” and she noted the challenge for immigrants in connecting with the state Employment Development Department to file for unemployment, for instance.
That shapes attitudes toward shelter-in-place policies, Pang suggested, and the ensuing economic fallout.
“I think a lot of this is making sure communities can access information in real time, with language access, and maximize all the relief benefits from the federal, state or local government,” she said.
