The Option to Quarantine

One example that I see of racial and income inequality is through the coronavirus outbreak. I see and hear many people in our community complaining about how bad and horrible it is to be staying at home. On social media I see celebrities posting about how much quarantine and staying home “sucks”. But, at the very least, we have the option to quarantine and stay home. Millions of Americans across the country are homeless, living in apartments and townhouses, or even in prisons where they don't have the option to self quarantine. People with lower incomes can potentially not afford a house to quarantine in and therefore is at a greater risk. In addition, not only do people of lower income have a greater risk of catching the virus, but they're at a lower risk of being treated. Due to the income inequality many people with low incomes can’t afford healthcare to help them if they catch this virus. Yet again, the people who live in lower income communities are getting the short end of the straw. When were at home, although quarantine can be boring, we need to think “At least we have the option to quarantine, at least we have the option to be treated”