In what could signal difficult months ahead, COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing across the country. And experts believe as the months get colder, deaths are also likely to increase. This is especially worrisome because we’re still learning about the virus. One of the latest developments is COVID-19 “brain fog,” the inability to think clearly months after recovering.
This week’s “5 Essential Updates” for our gente include how Latina mothers are balancing life with their children at home, young Latinos on the job market, and tips for staying mentally healthy during this time.
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1. Latina mothers balance life — It’s been seven months since the COVID-19 quarantine began, and some parents are struggling with balancing working from home while supporting young children. Latino USA’s podcast gathered the stories of how parents are coping. “You can’t parent and work full-time. None of this was meant to be a long-term solution,” one mother said.
2. Reducing our gente’s COVID-19 — States across the country are trying to figure out the most effective way to re-open businesses and activities, and one medical expert says focusing on Latinos may be the answer. Dr. Mase, a health officer in Sonoma County, said the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on local Latinos must be addressed or the county will continue to fall short of reopening benchmarks.
3. Young Latinos struggle in the job market — “How am I supposed to gain experience if I’m not given a chance to pursue an opportunity?” asked Adriana Valdez. She’s one of the young Latinos across the country who, despite having a college degree, is struggling to find employment in the midst of a crippling economy. Valdez, who just graduated with an MBA, thinks finding a job this year is “wishful thinking.”
4. This Latina leads a movement — Kristin Urquiza’s message resonated with hundreds of thousands across the country when she wrote that her dad shouldn’t have died from COVID-19. “His death is due to the carelessness of the politicians,” she penned in an obituary. She’s turned pain into powerful protest and has kick-started a movement to honor the families of the front-line workers who have died of COVID-19.
5. It’s okay to be okay — Some admit guilt for enjoying quarantine, but professionals encourage acceptance of our circumstances. UCLA Health hosted a virtual event to support people focusing on personal emotional health. Some tips include:
- Move around every day, even if it’s just 30 minutes of movement 🏃🏾♀️
- Maintain structure in your day 📝
- Stay connected with loved ones to overcome the distance 💌
