KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Across the U.S., studies and health departments have reported that coronavirus affects minority communities the most.
In Wyandotte County, the health department and organizations know that's true. For El Centro, it's about making sure the Latino population has access and communication.
"Every day when we check our voice mails, I have about 40 new messages of people needing help," El Centro Community Mobilizer Valeria Espadas Ibarra said.
The Latino community they serve is affected by coronavirus in two ways: either they're the first to lose their jobs or they're still essential - some working in grocery stores, restaurants, agriculture and construction.
"They don't have access to healthcare and they're not going to get this federal aid, so those are the people we're trying to help," Espadas Ibarra said.
Although Latinos make up 28 percent of Wyandotte County's population, only 15 percent of positive tests are among the Latino community. But it's not because Latinos aren't getting sick.
"It's because we think people aren't getting tested as frequently, so we really want to emphasize expanding our testing and making it more accessible," Janell Friesen with the Wyandotte County Health Department said.
Mariana Ramirez with the Juntos Center for Advancing Latino Health says close to 40 percent of Latinos in Wyandotte County don't have health insurance.
"So when you're thinking about, if I report symptoms and if I end up sick and if I go to the hospital, how am I going to afford that if I don't have insurance? Will they accept me in the first place?" Ramirez said.
Fear and lack of trust also contribute to Latinos avoiding going to the doctor, specifically for people who have immigration concerns.
Language barriers are always a problem, however Ramirez says the health department has done a great job by posting all its information in Spanish, too.
"Unfortunately this is an issue we've had all along," Espadas Ibarra said. "Coronavirus, I think, just kind of showed it."
Places like El Centro are essential in making sure the community has up-to-date information. They're posting informational videos, reminders, and graphics in Spanish and English on their Facebook page every day.
The health department is looking to partner with organizations who serve the Latino community to do more pop-up testing.
Anyone can get tested at the health department for free, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
The health department is now testing Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.
If you don't have a primary care provider, you can report symptoms directly through the health department website or by calling 311, and someone with the health department will call you back to set up an appointment.
