File photo
File photo
While COVID-19 does not discriminate, some Hill Country residents might be more at risk of catching the novel coronavirus simply due to location.
According to Texas Standard, many Central and South Central Texans who live to the east of Interstate 35 tend to be of a lower socioeconomic status.
While those to the west of Interstate 35 are wealthier and perhaps not as frazzled by the changes that have come to daily life with COVID-19, those to the east are forced to continue working as they are associated with “essential” business, including fast food, grocery store and big box retail, construction work, and waste management.
One waste management employee said he has not been given any special protection or benefits, even though he is coming into contact with potential contagions hundreds of times every day.
In the fight for these workers’ rights, state Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) is advocating for political reform that would allow for more protection even after COVID-19 is behind us.
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