They carry out a large part of the jobs that are essential for the functioning of society during the pandemic

A large part of the workers considered by the government as “essential” to maintain the basic functioning of society during the pandemic, as well as health professionals who are on the front lines of the battle against coronavirus, are immigrants.

A recent New American Economy study (NAE), an analysis and study organization that promotes social integrity, stresses that immigrant workers play a huge role in the current public health crisis by disproportionately occupying the jobs that feed Americans and keep the economy moving.

In addition, the report refers, when occupying these essential jobs, immigrants are the most exposed to the risk of contagion.

NAE's analysis indicates that 25% of health care workers are foreign-born, while immigrants nationwide represent 17% of the workforce.

"Healthcare workers on the front lines of the battle, from doctors to nurses to medical assistants, bear the highest risk of infection given their necessary proximity to patients and possible exposure to the virus," the study said.

And as for essential jobs, the participation of immigrants is much higher, on average 40%, from farmworkers to cooks, drivers, and food delivery people.

"While these jobs are not normally exposed to disease," adds the report, "in the current crisis, leaving their homes to work to keep the rest of the United States running carries a higher risk of infection."

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here