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Timely new @nberpubs working paper from @HummySong @McKennaEcon @angela_t_chen @GuyDavid_HE @asmithmc.
Finds #EssentialWorkers =55% more likely to be COVID19 + than non-essential.
Dependents in same HH have 17% higher likelihood.
https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28374/w28374.pdf
h/t @JFODonnell13
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Finds #EssentialWorkers =55% more likely to be COVID19 + than non-essential.
Dependents in same HH have 17% higher likelihood.
https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28374/w28374.pdf
h/t @JFODonnell13
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Sample drawn during shutdown of non-essential businesses in PA & uses COVID data from state's largest private insurer.
B/c they excluded #essentialworkers on Medicaid, Obamacare or uninsured, likely an undercount. Many low-wage workers lack employer-provided health insurance. 2/
B/c they excluded #essentialworkers on Medicaid, Obamacare or uninsured, likely an undercount. Many low-wage workers lack employer-provided health insurance. 2/
In fact, many low-wage frontline workers I interviewed get their health insurance through state.
Which means the risks of contracting COVID for essential workers on the frontline vs those working safely from home is probably higher.
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Which means the risks of contracting COVID for essential workers on the frontline vs those working safely from home is probably higher.
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A key contribution of the paper is the authors' findings on household transmission.
Top concern I heard in interviews with frontline workers is not their fears of their own safety, but worries that othey could bring the virus home from work and infect their loved ones.
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Top concern I heard in interviews with frontline workers is not their fears of their own safety, but worries that othey could bring the virus home from work and infect their loved ones.
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#EssentialWorkers earning very low wages often cannot afford to pay rent on own. Some workers I interviewed not only lived with young dependents, but w/ grown children (+ grandchildren) who can help split rent.
This data may undercount some of these multigenerational HHs.
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This data may undercount some of these multigenerational HHs.
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As more transmissible variants threaten to accelerate the pandemic, the dangers facing #EssentialWorkers and their families may become even more concerning in weeks ahead.
And while #EssentialWorkers may get vaccinated soon, family members they live with may wait months.
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And while #EssentialWorkers may get vaccinated soon, family members they live with may wait months.
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This timely research is urgent reminder that far more needs to be done to keep workers safe.
As @drdavidmichaels has flagged, likely that OSHA will soon issue Emergency Temporary Standard.
Still more needed: > PPE, N95 masks for all, faster vaccination, > enforcement.
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As @drdavidmichaels has flagged, likely that OSHA will soon issue Emergency Temporary Standard.
Still more needed: > PPE, N95 masks for all, faster vaccination, > enforcement.
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