Title
Resolution Establishing a Pittsburgh City-School District Partnership.
Body
Whereas, systemic racism is the pre-existing condition which afforded Covid-19 the opportunity to disproportionately impact the African-American community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), African-Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population, but represent 33% of Covid-19 hospitalizations and 34% of Covid-19 deaths. In counties with predominantly African-American residents, infection rates are three times higher, and death rates six times higher than rates in counties with predominantly Non-Hispanic White residents; and,
Whereas, due to systemic racism, African-Americans disproportionately face conditions that increase their exposure to Covid-19, making social distancing challenging, including employment in essential industries, reliance on public transit, overrepresentation in correctional facilities and crowded, substandard housing. African-Americans are more likely to be underinsured, receive lower-quality healthcare, live in food deserts and be exposed to indoor and outdoor environmental toxins, all of which are linked to underlying health conditions that heighten the risk both of contracting Covid-19 and suffering severe symptoms; and,
Whereas, African-American families are facing more severe economic consequences. Due to occupational segregation, a disproportionate number of African-Americans are in low-wage jobs and have incomes below the poverty line, leaving them more financially vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19. With unemployment at an unprecedented high, 45% of African-American workers have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, which is 14% more than Non-Hispanic White workers. Consequently, African-American families are overrepresented among families experiencing food insecurity, difficulty paying bills and housing instability; and,
Whereas, African-American children face disadvantages in remote learning settings. ...
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