Interactive map and infographics help visualize social impact of COVID-19
In response to the growing need for data around the COVID-19 crisis we've released an interactive map with multiple layers and metrics that identify regions in California that may face increased risks associated with the pandemic. For example, the map allows users to zoom in on different regions to see the levels of certain particulate matter in the air revealed to increase the likelihood of dying from a COVID-19 infection. The user can then overlay the map with continually updated figures that show the number of coronavirus cases (both per capita and in real terms) for each county, the number of deaths, the number of hospital beds, and other data that help tell a story unique to each region. (See coverage of our mapping tool in the SF Gate)
Additionally we've posted a new collection of infographics to visualize the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on working people and renters in California. The infographics reveal a correlation between infections and unemployment claims; the proportion of racial groups who work in "non-essential" industries which have been shuttered; and show the proportion of renters by race.
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ICE raids, farmworkers, & the COVID-19 crisis
This week we released a new episode of our Who Belongs? podcast featuring three UC Berkeley researchers who explained what the COVID-19 crisis means for undocumented people experiencing ICE raids and migrant farmworkers who are putting themselves at risk with no protective equipment to help keep grocery stores stocked with produce. The guests, who include Seth Holmes, Miriam Magaña López, and Vera Chang, drew from their recent articles in The Guardian which argue that ICE raids undermine public health, and that endangering farmworkers also puts our food supply chain at risk.
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Blog: COVID-19 has changed everything
Gerald Lenoir, who is the Institute's Identity and Political Strategy Analyst, has published a new blog showing how the coronavirus pandemic poses a serious challenge not only to our health and economic well-being, but also to our society's basic structures of social cohesion and democracy. He writes: "But the pandemic alone is not what is bringing our society to its knees. A longstanding anti-human, anti-science, anti-democratic, individualistic, racist and xenophobic narrative is clashing with the reality of a pandemic that can only be overcome by humanity, science, equity, collective effort, and trust in the democratic institutions that are coordinating and delivering health services and economic relief."
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Faculty scholar Amani M. Allen, who is an associate professor of Community Health Sciences and Epidemiology, during an interview on CNN discussing the racial disparities in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We have seen this pattern of racial health disparities for quite a long time, and we see it across numerous health outcomes.'
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John Jennings, who is a professor of Media and Cultural Studies at UC Riverside, gives a virtual talk on black popular culture in graphic novels, illustrated fiction, and graphic design. We co-sponsored this event as part of the 400 Years of Resistance to Slavery and Injustice initiative.
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News & Media
Faculty scholar Emmanuel Saez and his Berkeley colleague Gabriel Zucman co-authored an op-ed in the New York Times, "Jobs Aren’t Being Destroyed This Fast Elsewhere. Why Is That?"
Senior Fellow Richard Rothstein argues that "The Coronavirus Will Explode Achievement Gaps in Education" in a new article published on shelterforce.org.
Othering & Belonging Institute Analyst Gerald Lenoir was featured in a Vibe.com article entitled, "African Diaspora Dialogues: The Journey To 'One Love'" about Priority Africa Network's series of discussions to strengthen ties between new black immigrants and existing African-American communities.
Faculty scholar Colette Auerswald was quoted in an ABC News article about a number of individuals in a San Francisco homeless shelter catching COVID-19. "This is an urgent public health emergency," Auerswald is quoted as saying.
Faculty scholars Henry Brady, Hilary Hoynes, and Jesse Rothstein were featured in a Berkeley News article entitled, "COVID-19: Economic impact, human solutions."
Associate Director Denise Herd was quoted in an SF Chronicle article about California releasing only partial data on which groups are getting sick from COVID-19. “From what we know of existing health disparities, I would be surprised if we didn’t see some inequities in terms of who’s getting sick and who’s dying. We need more data on this.”
Faculty scholar Beth Piatote was interviewed by the LA Review of Books about her book of short stories The Beadworkers and how "language is a casualty of war."
Faculty scholar Jesse Rothstein was interviewed in a recent news article about the federal government's actions to provide economic support to businesses and workers suffering from COVID-19-related shutdowns. Rothstein says that while this is a good start, more should be done to protect vulnerable small businesses and employees from the impact of the pandemic.
Medical historian and faculty scholar Elena Conis was featured in an ABC7 news article entitled, "Coronavirus Pandemic: UC Berkeley historian draws similarities between COVID-19 and polio epidemic of the 1950s."
Janelle Scott, UC Berkeley professor of education and a member of our Educational Disparities faculty cluster, was quoted in an LA Times article, "15,000 L.A. high school students are AWOL online, 40,000 fail to check in daily amid coronavirus closures." "This crisis has laid bare what we always knew—how equitable opportunities are so dependent on parental background and wealth and access to resources,” Scott is quoted as saying.
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Upcoming Events
Many events that had been scheduled for the spring and summer are either being cancelled, postponed, or evaluated due to the current pandemic. However some events may move forward using digital platforms. We'll be updating our event listings as we receive information from event organizers.
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Positions at the Institute
B4B/Network Field Coordinator
The Institute’s Blueprint for Belonging (B4B) project is focused on analyzing and informing the development of strategic narrative infrastructure in California. The Field Coordinator will liaise with community partners, manage events and projects, and carry out qualitative research and data analysis or digital strategies. Learn more about this position.
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