Latinos are hardest hit in the poor neighborhoods of East San Jose in Santa Clara County compared to wealthier areas, according to a recently published article.

Latinos are Hardest Hit Compared to Other Races

The Latino community is the largest minority group in the country. There are more than 32 million Latinos in the United States, and that does not include undocumented immigrants. Most of them are highly exposed to the virus due to their nature of work. 

Most Latinos who work in the U.S. are farmers, household workers, as well as other jobs that require them to go out and interact with people. Another factor is their low average wage, and that forces them to go to the supermarket frequently because they only have a limited budget.

The risk is even higher because Latino families often live in a multigenerational household, making the spread of the virus easier.

Death Rate of Latinos in the Santa Clara County

The death rates in Latino neighborhoods in East San Jose are higher compared to the wealthier areas in San Clara County. It was found that one-third of the first 100 deaths in ZIP Codes 95116, 95127, 95122, and 95148 were Latinos.

In those areas, Latinos were hardest hit by the virus compared to other races. Thirty-five percent of those who died in Santa Clara County were Latinos, 26 percent were white Americans, and 32 percent were Asian-Americans. 

In terms of age, Latinos are also dying younger compared to other races. In a record revealed by a medical examiner, it was found that the first 100 Latinos who died due to COVID-19 were an average of 65 years old. They are 15 years younger than Asian-Americans.

Matthew Warren, an attorney with the Western Center for Law and Poverty, said: "This data is pretty devastating, but it's not completely shocking given the racial disparities in our country. It's no secret that the neighborhoods on the east side of San Jose have not benefited from the same resources as the rest of Silicon Valley."

He added: They've suffered from systemic disinvestment for a long time. They probably aren't poised to weather the current pandemic as easily as other parts of the valley, from an economic or health standpoint."

It is not only in Santa Clara County where Latinos were hit hard by the virus but also in other states like Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Experts believed that in a state where there is a disparity between the rich and the poor, the Latino community is hard hit because they cannot easily access the healthcare system due to financial constraints and immigration status.

It would be difficult for those who have problems in their immigration status to avail of healthcare services because they do not have SSN. It could also be the reason that they will be deported back to their country of origin. This means that instead of being diagnosed and treated in a hospital, they would rather have their medication without proper treatments in their homes.