Impact of Covid 19 on prince william working familes

Impact of Covid-19 on Prince William County Working Families
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Impact of Covid-19 on Prince William County Working Families
Covid-19 was first detected late last year in China. The disease is believed to have started in a poultry and seafood market in the country. From China, the disease spread fast to other countries in the world, and it did not take long before the World Health Organization declared it a global pandemic. However, it was declared a pandemic; the disease had spread to other countries in the world, including the United States. In January, the U.S. confirmed its first cases, which were detected in Washington State. Up to this point, however, deaths had only been reported in China. There was no other country in the world that had reported a death case. However, in February, the Philippines reported its first death case, which meant that the deadly coronavirus had broken the Chinese border banks and was gunning for every country or people who were oblivious to the seriousness of the virus. In the U.S., the government’s lethargic response allowed the disease to spread all over the country and reach the deepest parts of the country. One such place that saw a rise in cases in Prince William County. The county saw and is still experiencing the worst that Covid-19 has to offer. Like other places in the U.S., Prince William County is still grappling with the effects of Covid-19 almost a year after it was detected. Provided herein is an elucidation of the impacts of Covid-19 on the working families of Prince William County.
Prince William County is located in the state of Virginia. The county boasts of a population of 470,335 as of July 1, 2019 (United States Census, 2019). The population of the county is quite diverse, with white Americans leading the percentage with 41.8%. They are followed by African Americans, with a percentage of 20.5%. White Hispanics follow with a percentage of 16.5%, then Asian Americans with a population of 8.2%, and finally Hispanic with 5.63% (Data USA, 2020). According to the daily Covid-19 updates, Prince William County is one of the most affected counties in Virginia. As of December 2, the county had posted more than 18,000 positive cases with 235 deaths. These are quite high, considering the population of the county. Having seen the effects of Covid-19 elsewhere in the world, one may not be faulted to think that Prince William County has also been ravaged by the condition.
One of the impacts of Covid-19 on the working families in Prince William County is the loss of jobs. After WHO declared a global health emergency because of Covid-19, countries started to enact measures to help reduce the prevalence and spread of Covid-19 among its populous. One of the measures that were adopted was that countries were locked down. There was no air travel for months. Also, social places were closed, and people were asked to remain indoors unless it is necessary to be outside. Many businesses that depended on the influx of people were closed, and jobs were lost. In a 2020 report, Dua et al. note that many small businesses were left vulnerable to closure when Covid-19 hit. The researchers list several business models that were affected, and some of them include accommodations and food services, construction, arts, entertainment, and recreation, retail trade, utilities, finance, and insurance, among others. Small businesses are quite crucial for any economy. They account for a significant percentage of available jobs in a country. However, Covid-19 rendered a majority of these jobs vulnerable to permanent closure. As is shown in the image below, Prince William County was not spared when Covid-19 hit the state of Virginia. Like other places, the county saw an increase in the number of businesses that closed. Also, others decided to cut back to help ensure that they remain afloat or have enough to weather the storm caused by Covid-19. Between mid-March and the end of April, Berti (2020) notes that 36,000 people filed unemployment claims. This happened in only six weeks and gave an indication of what was in store for not only Prince William County but also other parts of the country. What the above confirmed was that working families were greatly hit by the disease. Also, Berti (2020) adds that these figures “may not reflect the number of undocumented workers who have lost their jobs.” This means that there could be more people who lost their jobs in Prince William County. Working families had it rough, and since Covid-19 is yet to ease its hold on the country, the chances are that many will continue to suffer from their families. Aside from the effects already felt, the county is likely to suffer for an extended period because of the long and torturous journey of recovery, and this means more suffering for the working families.
Working families in Prince William County were also impacted by the deaths of their loved ones as well as breadwinners. Like other places in the state of Virginia, Prince William County also experienced cases of death that continued to rise with each passing day. As already indicated, deaths in Prince William County numbered 235 as of December 2, 2020. However, what these numbers do not reveal are the hidden facts that showcase the racial disparity of the differences in the number of deaths. Apparently, African Americans, whose population is less than that of White Americans in Prince William County, were reported to be dying in large numbers than other races in the county. In April, for example, of the 17 deaths that were reported in Prince William County, the African Americans accounted for eight or an equivalent of 47%. By May, of all the Covid-19 cases reported in Prince William County, 50% were African Americans. Such issues expose a healthcare system that is want...