Five Years After COVID: Health Access for Latino and Mayan Immigrants

Join us on July 17 for a discussion with local community leaders about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on health and health care, five years after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic.

The pandemic exposed and exacerbated existing health disparities, disproportionately affecting communities of color. In the East Bay, Latino and Mayan immigrants were among the hardest hit, facing multiple barriers to health care access and social support, and suffering rates of infection significantly higher than average before vaccination was available.

This event will recall how community leaders created new and urgently needed structures for accessing health care during the pandemic, from pop-up testing and vaccination clinics to increasing sign-ups for Medi-Cal, and expanding cross-sector partnerships. Another salient response was the media outlets that built close community connections and shared vital information in Spanish and Mam, including El Tímpano and Radio B’alam.

Structural inequalities didn’t end with the pandemic. New challenges—including long COVID, a surge in mental health issues, and housing displacement—also emerged. But some of the pandemic-era efforts to facilitate better health continue today. We’ll talk about solutions and shortcomings and consider the impact that the Trump administration is having on both.

The evening will also feature a multimedia gallery with stories from Spanish- and Mam-speaking community members about their experiences during the pandemic, produced by El Tímpano in collaboration with Voice of Witness. Food will be provided and live English-Spanish interpretation of the panel will be available.

Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Oakland.