Income Inequality impact during COVID-19 - Why are some doing better than others?

In America, we embrace capitalistic qualities, and we accept that individuals and businesses who take risks and work hard will benefit from higher incomes. We assume that higher incomes divide us only in our ability to accept a difference in our quality of dinner, and our ability to afford luxury vacations, spacious homes, and overpriced vehicles. We acknowledge that these aspects of our lives will not be equal, and we accept this as fair. But, as Americans continue to understand the full impact of COVID-19 on physical health, mental health, and financial health, a few are just beginning to realize that income inequality separates more than only purchasing power.

An avid newsreader now knows that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted minorities and people with disabilities who face multiple barriers in access to essential services (Myers, 2020). Many Americans celebrated healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, and essential employees on social media channels and displays in front of homes at the pandemic onset. Unknowingly, or unwillingly not acknowledging that remote work for everyone is not possible.  This is true not only because of the difference in occupations but also because people's ability to work from home is linked closely with the availability internet. Individuals with poor internet connections at home, even in areas with high internet access levels, cannot cope with the new virtual, video-conferencing world (Myers, 2020). These same individuals lack the opportunity to access therapeutic resources online, which is devastating because stress from financial insecurity is a well-established risk factor for psychiatric morbidity (Purtle, 2020). 

Without the ability to work at an equal level due to the lack of internet access, many individuals lost income and the chance to gain new skills or continue building their careers. Most of these individuals have not recovered during the staged reopening throughout the country.

However, on September 20th, CNBC claimed that the coronavirus pandemic's economic crisis is over for wealthy and white individuals. The article claims wealthy and white individuals were the least likely to lose their jobs, and that they also benefitted from the financial stimulus that boosted their savings.  Additionally, for homeowners, the increase in housing prices boosted their overall net worth (Iacurci, 2020). 

Supported by a stable income, this group adjusted quickly to working virtually and received on-the-spot training of the job skills needed to succeed in a post-coronavirus world. They increased their access to future opportunities, most likely denied to individuals not classified as wealthy and white.  Forbes claims that the skills necessary after the pandemic include tech-savviness, creativity, and innovation, data literacy, leadership, and commitment to lifelong learning as some of the essential skills to succeed when the epidemic ends (Marr, 2020). It does not discuss the access, freedom, and privilege needed to obtain these skills during a health and economic crisis impacting the entire world.

COVID-19 has highlighted that income inequality impacts us more than just in our ability to purchase material things.  It impacts access to healthcare, the freedom to obtain new skills, and the ability to adapt and adjust when needed to thrive. We must not forget these lessons after the pandemic ends and allow things to go back to normal.  We must find ways to address the digital divide, the educational divide, and healthcare access among all populations, no matter the household income.

References

Iacurci, G. (2020, September 20). Coronavirus recession ends for the rich but is far from over for lower-income communities. Retrieved from CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/20/coronavirus-recession-ends-for-rich-crisis-persists-for-others.html

Marr, B. (2020, April 17). 8 Job Skills To Succeed In A Post-Coronavirus World. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/04/17/8-job-skills-to-succeed-in-a-post-coronavirus-world/#6bc3c9a32096

Myers, J. (2020, August 18). 5 things COVID-19 has taught us about inequality. New York, NY, US.

Purtle, J. (2020, June 17). COVID-19 and mental health equity in the United States. Philadelphia, PA, US.

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