Applying an Equity Lens During A Pandemic

We Are Not In This Together

We’re all in this together has become a catchphrase and hopeful sentiment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This catchphrase sounds like a great equalizer, a hopeful symbol of our shared humanity and existence on the planet. We’re all in this together – only we’re not.

We have a genuine opportunity to examine the broken systems that continue to perpetuate inequality, including access to health coverage and services, and the access and distribution of resources and opportunity. We are all experiencing the same storm, the pandemic. Yes, we are all afloat in a great vast sea of uncertainty, trying to weather the storm. The issue is that some of us are hanging on to a pool noodle. Others are surviving in a dingy with no motor. For others, they may be in a fishing boat or even a luxurious yacht.

For those with the pool noodle, they do not have access to resources that could provide some relief to their current stress and worry about having access to basic necessities. In fact, they are at greatest risk of going under the next time a wave crests. For those on the yacht, this storm is a mere inconvenience. They have access to food, health care, they are able to work remotely from that yacht and their biggest frustration is watching reruns of sporting events on the television.

The pandemic is exposing our racial divides. This is the time for all of us to push forward our equity work. Advocacy has never been more needed for the most vulnerable of our communities. It is the Equity Committee’s hope that the information and talking points are helpful for you, your organizations, and those we serve to keep equity at the forefront, to provide those who need it most, their opportunity to thrive and live.

Health Disparities

Health disparity can be defined as the following: a particular type of health difference that is closely linked with economic, social, or environmental disadvantage. Health disparities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social or economic obstacles to health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, or mental health; cognitive sensory or physical disability; sexual orientation or gender identity, geographic location; or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination or exclusion – Healthy People 2020.

New COVID-19 data has revealed an alarming statistic – black families have a much higher risk of contracting and dying from the virus, nationally. Here is Oregon, the virus hits the Hispanic or Latin X community at a disproportionate rate. Data through the Oregon Health Authority shows that 22% of Oregonians infected with COVID-19 are Hispanics, while census numbers show this group only comprises 15% of our state’s population.

What does that statistic mean? It highlights that health disparities exist. Marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by health inequalities, a fact known for years. Racial minorities are often more likely to have pre-existing conditions, limited access to resources such as health insurance, healthcare, and limited access to affordable housing and fresh foods.

While many organizations have quickly pivoted to telehealth are we also considering barriers that may exist in moving our service delivery? Have we considered that not every one may have a cell phone, minutes or data on their mobile device, a laptop or the Wi-Fi needed to access care? Now more than ever, it is essential to protect our most vulnerable community members. We need to advocate on behalf of those we are serving. We may not be able to do much for the physical recovery of our community members impacted by COVID-19. As providers, we must do all we can, advocate as loudly as possible to provide the emotional, mental and overall wellbeing recovery we can provide.

Applying Equity in a Crisis

Thomas Bruner and Lillian Tsai provide six ways you can apply an equity lens to your organization in times of crisis.

1) Use Inclusive Communication. In a crisis, it’s easy to resort to ‘telling’ communication: “Leadership met; here’s where we are; here’s what you’re all going to do.” An equity lens in communication means first asking and listening, and then responding. Ask what people are experiencing and needing. Listen to what people say without interrupting, explaining or telling. Respond by explicitly addressing people’s concerns in your follow-up communications.

2) Honor Differences in Response. Different people, communities and cultures have different ways of handling stress and expressing emotion. An equity lens respects all responses, not just the ones we’ve historically deemed “professional.” Allow space for both the doomsday-predictors and deniers. Recognize the highly-distracted and hyper-focused. Acknowledge both the expressive emoters and stiff-upper-lippers.

3) Coach on Working Remotely. Not everyone is comfortable with technology. Helping your team be successful in this environment takes more than, “Here’s the link to our Zoom meeting. Follow the instructions for downloading.” Coach your people on Technology 101, the etiquette of phone and video conferencing, and practical ways to be productive while working at home amid multiple distractions. Allow time for some people to process new ways of working virtually.

4) Community Relations. We’ve all received them – the “Our Response to COVID-19” emails, many of which are generic in content. An equity lens means being transparent, clear and specific so that your constituents have the relevant information they need. Explain how you are caring for your people, which products, programs and services continue to be available, how you are handling your suppliers and vendors, and how and when you will continue to communicate.

5) Reductions in Force. If reducing your workforce is necessary because of declining revenue, consider the economic situation of your employees, and explore the pros and cons of furloughs vs. lay-offs. Ask your employees about their situation and needs. Furloughs allow people to remain employed with reduced hours and access to benefits, and be quickly re-activated when business picks up again. Lay-offs sever the employment relationship, enabling people to seek unemployment.

6) Paying Vendors and Suppliers. When making decisions about paying vendors when revenue gets tight, consider the financial capacity of smaller businesses to weather financial storms. While striving to honor your commitments and being fair to everyone, an equity lens recognizes the possible differential impact on some businesses. Pay attention to under-represented groups such as women-, minority-, veteran- and disability-owned and emerging small businesses.

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