As the coronavirus outbreak rapidly spreads, existing social and economic inequalities in society have been exposed and exacerbated. State and local governments across the country, on the advice of public health officials, have shuttered businesses of all types and implemented other social distancing recommendations. Such measures assume a certain basic level of affluence, which many in low-income and vulnerable communities do not have and as a result, millions of people have lost their jobs.
On Thursday, April 2, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted a webinar discussion to address how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting low-income and vulnerable communities. Panelists discussed what measures officials can take to protect marginalized communities as the country continues to fight the virus.