The Most Vulnerable Communities in this Global Pandemic Were Let Down Before Coronavirus Arrived

Environmental racism has been affecting communities for decades and has left them even more vulnerable during a global pandemic.

Photo by JuniperPhoton on Unsplash

“Masks are required” signs have seemingly taken a permanent post in front of establishments across the world. For many, 2020 has brought about a new lifestyle that is premised on maintaining good health and caring for thy neighbor through hand-washing, mask-wearing and saying “these are unprecedented times” whenever possible.

In a world that is still adapting to life in a pandemic where it seems that the air we breathe and surfaces we touch can betray us at any moment, what happens to the communities that were already living in a toxic zone?

We know that our planet is polluted. We also know that this pollution is not evenly distributed across neighborhoods, communities, and even countries. The reasons for these disproportions vary, but it has been found that communities of color (particularly poor communities) have increased exposure to hazardous and polluting facilities.

Black Americans are more likely to be exposed to the most toxic pollution and are twice as likely to be exposed to air…