AFH members have created a comprehensive presentation about homelessness. Click here to view it.
While the majority of the population is able to remain home since gatherings of over 6 in many cities have been banned during the pandemic, there are many homeless people that remain on the street, often clustered in tent camps with little privacy or space from one another. Many shelters are at full capacity & public places such as libraries are shutting down which many rely on for access to clean facilities such as toilets, hand washing stations, and shower stations. The homeless population’s lack of stable shelter, access to proper hygiene, and basic food supplies makes them particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 outbreak which requires the practice of social distancing to slow down the spread of the virus.
Additionally, the rate of respiratory diseases, which is a major risk factor for COVID-19 patients, are high among the homeless population. A study done in a hospital in Washington state found that 32% of those hospitalized for respiratory diseases were homeless. According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, 31% of homeless people in the US were over the age of 50 in 2014 and that increases the risk of COVID-19, since the chances of dying from the virus drastically rises after the age of 60. In all, it is important that the homeless population have access to proper sanitation and are educated on how to stay healthy in the midst of COVID-19.
If you would like to read more about COVID-19 & homelessness, visit the link below:
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/18/21183812/covid-19-coronavirus-homeless
https://nche.ed.gov/covid-19-coronavirus-information/
Additionally, the rate of respiratory diseases, which is a major risk factor for COVID-19 patients, are high among the homeless population. A study done in a hospital in Washington state found that 32% of those hospitalized for respiratory diseases were homeless. According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, 31% of homeless people in the US were over the age of 50 in 2014 and that increases the risk of COVID-19, since the chances of dying from the virus drastically rises after the age of 60. In all, it is important that the homeless population have access to proper sanitation and are educated on how to stay healthy in the midst of COVID-19.
If you would like to read more about COVID-19 & homelessness, visit the link below:
https://www.vox.com/2020/3/18/21183812/covid-19-coronavirus-homeless
https://nche.ed.gov/covid-19-coronavirus-information/