Op-Ed: Fix Inequities Highlighted By Coronavirus Pandemic

Alex Roithmayr is a candidate for New York State Assembly in the 93rd District which includes Northern Westchester. He previously served as Chief of Staff to current Assemblymember David Buchwald.

The news has been covering the hard reality of how minorities are the forgotten victims of the coronavirus. But they are not forgotten by all. There are still advocates who believe that the state government has a dire responsibility to fix these inequities – challenges that have been faced for decades and brought further into the light as a result of this pandemic.

Low-income, largely minority neighbors in our communities have been put at risk. Those of us who make deliveries, stock store shelves, protect citizens, and save lives cannot be forgotten. The assumption is that actions have been taken to protect them. This nomenclature is simply not true, and the data shows it.

Black and Hispanic people make up 33 percent of New York State, and yet account for 51 percent of COVID deaths. White people see an inverse result, making up 55 percent of the population and accounting for only 34 percent of COVID deaths. (Source: covidtracking.com/race/dashboard#state-ny)

This isn’t fair, but it’s also not unexpected. Why are some of us dying at different rates than others? Because of a higher likelihood to be in low paying jobs that are considered essential, to be living in low-income housing, to be treated differently by the healthcare systems if and when we get there, and because of decades of “weathering” – the effects of systemic racism at the molecular level that increases stress on the body over time – in turn increasing vulnerability to disease.

That is why when I go to Albany representing Westchester’s 93rd District in the State Assembly, I’ll not only be looking at recovery from this virus but staying laser-focused on how we can start to undo the entrenched barriers for so many New Yorkers to live healthy, happy, safe lives.

It starts with communication, and that’s why I’ve pledged to ensure materials are available in multiple languages and to have Spanish-speaking staff in our district office. It’s why I will introduce or sponsor legislation that protects minority and women owned businesses as part of our economic recovery. It’s why I will work to ensure that as our education system goes through an upheaval with distance learning, no child lacks the resources they need to learn and succeed. And it’s why I will fight to increase protections against predatory lending as so many of us struggle to get back on our feet financially.

These are some of my promises, but I am not going at this alone. I can see where our system fails, but I don’t have the lived experience. The experience I do have, however, is convening our community together, like when I created United Westchester as Assemblymember David Buchwald’s Chief of Staff to hold our utility companies accountable for reliable service during and after natural disasters.

Groups like El Centro Hispano, historically black churches, and other religious centers need to be prioritized as centers of information, testing, eventual vaccination, as places to get sanitary and food supplies, and as sources of inspiration for where our state goes next. I understand the important role these community centers play and it’s one of many reasons the Hispanic Democrats of Westchester endorse my candidacy.

Recently a legislative committee began to address this disconnect of what is needed and what is actually being discussed. Having worked in the Assembly for seven years, I have seen this disconnect in action.

The worst possible outcome is that we have the right conversation in the wrong way. In this vein, the response to COVID-19 and the eventual recovery will be white-washed and those of us who are truly affected by this deadly virus will be left behind, once again.

The "open up protests" and response from President Trump to restart the economy are dangerous. The White House has made it clear they believe some lives lost are acceptable for a strong economy. What is not being highlighted is that those being "sacrificed" for a strong economy will come disproportionately from our minority communities.

As an Assemblymember I will work with Governor Cuomo to “Reimagine New York.” And if we work hard enough, if we listen intently to diverse ideas and opinions, if we protect our most vulnerable – then maybe we can live up to the melting pot metaphor our state is so proud of, together.