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Voice of the Fields California
April 2021
FREE
COVID-19: Vaccine Hesitancy
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ALIFORNIA LATINOS, and farmworkers specifically, are the hardest hit by COVID-19. Even worse, studies show that they are also the most vaccine hesitant. In other words, Latino farmworkers are the most likely to die from COVID-19 but they are the least likely to be vaccinated. Medical experts across the board agree that the only way to recover from this deadly pandemic is to mass vaccinate individuals. However, it’s extremely hard to accomplish this effort if a significant portion of California’s population is worried that getting the vaccine might do more harm than good. It’s easy to understand why people feel hesitant about the vaccine—we’ve all heard the rumors about COVID-19 vaccines and a whole list of reasons why we shouldn’t get vaccinated. In a lot of cases, we’re relying on friends, family members, community rumors, and social media to inform us. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and conspiracy theories about the vaccine and it’s important to get accurate information directly from sources that are reliable. If the information you’re hearing hasn’t been backed up by a fact-based health source like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a trusted news source like the Los Angeles Times, or an academic study completed by a reputable university, it’s worth looking into the information more to find out if it’s true or not. First, we’ll take a look at what the numbers are, and just how massively the Latino and farmworking community has been hit by the pandemic. Then, we’ll talk about vaccine myths, misinformation, and misconceptions. Once you are informed about the vaccine, what it does and doesn’t do, you can make a well-rounded decision that’s best for you and your family.
Just how hard did the pandemic hit California Latinos and farmworkers?
According to a recent California Farm Bureau study, 2.4 million jobs were lost in the agriculture sector because of COVID-19. Across the state, many jobless people have been able to get back to work, but farmworkers in places like the Central Valley remain unemployed, and joblessness rates are not going down in the food and agriculture industry like they are in other job sectors. Another study by the University of California, San Francisco researched mortality rates (death rates) in California by demographic (race, gender, occupation, etc.). The study found that Latino deaths rose by 39 percent and rose among Latino food and agriculture workers by 59 percent. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found that California Latinos made up over 55 percent of COVID-19 cases, and more than 46 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in California.
Takeaways:
California farmworkers lost their jobs more often and for longer periods than people in most job sectors. Latino farmworker death rates rose by almost 60 percent. Latinos contracted COVID-19 and died from COVID-19 at higher rates than any other group in California. These numbers are very upsetting and downright scary for the Latino and farmworker community. Between close working and living conditions, a lack of access to healthcare and difficulties quarantining or taking time off work, farmworkers are hugely impacted by the pandemic. Even still, medical experts agree
Volume 31, Number 4 that vaccines are our best chance to repair some of the damage that’s been done and get back to normalcy.
Common misconceptions about the vaccine
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Many people are afraid that the vaccine was created too quickly and may cause health problems: It’s important to know that there’s a lot of reasons why the vaccine was created so quickly, and it’s not because health experts left out important steps. It’s because they had decades of experience creating vaccines, they had the best scientists from all over the world working together at the same time, and they received
Public Charge
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ECENTLY, the federal government rescinded the public charge rule that was expanded in 2019. This means that California immigrants can “seek and accept medical care, food assistance, and public housing without fear of or confusion about public charge consequences.” (www.covid19.ca.gov) Immigrants living in California no longer have to worry that applying for resources and benefits will come with the high cost of restricted access to legal residency. The California COVID-19 website has more information about food help, benefits at work, unemployment insurance, disability insurance and paid family leave, and many other benefits available to undocumented immigrants. Visit the “Help for immigrants” page to view a list of resources available and other helpful information: English: covid19.ca.gov/guide-immigrantcalifornians/ Spanish: covid19.ca.gov/es/guide-immigrant-californians/
lots of funding to make it happen so quickly. Trials and testing for vaccines used millions of participants to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective. They also go through dozens and dozens of phases to ensure that nothing was missed in the process of developing a vaccine.
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Immigrant Californians worry that getting the vaccine will be a public charge and prevent them from getting permanent legal status: California state government put together a guide for immigrant Californians that specifically covers the public charge rule. In this guide, it states that “public health assistance for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases, and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases whether or not such symptoms are caused by a communicable disease; and many more...are NOT considered for public charge.” In other words, it is not a public charge to be tested, treated for, or vaccinated for COVID-19: English: files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/wp/listos_ covid_19_immigrant_guidance_en_daf.pdf Spanish: files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/wp/listos_ covid_19_immigrant_guidance_es_daf.pdf
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Some are worried that they can’t get the vaccine without health insurance or being a U.S. citizen: The state covers all costs for the COVID-19 vaccine for Californians that are undocumented and/or uninsured. You don’t need to be a citizen of the United States or have health insurance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. You will never be asked about your immigration status when receiving a vaccine and if you do not have health insurance, the state will pay for it.
Myths and Misinformation
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The government conspiracy: One of the most damaging myths about the COVID-19 vaccine is that it is a government conspiracy to plant microchips in recipients in order to track them down, report them to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and deport them. This information is false. Vaccines are developed by trusted scientists from all over the world that have successfully eradicated infectious diseases like smallpox, polio, and tuberculosis that used to kill people regularly before vaccines were developed. Vaccines are not a government conspiracy.
They are, especially in this case, one of our only chances to get back to normalcy and prevent future deaths.
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It causes infertility, alters DNA, or results in damaging health outcomes: This information is also false. There is no evidence that the vaccine causes infertility problems among recipients. Scientists continue studying side effects from the vaccine, but in their trials and testing among millions of people, there was no evidence that the vaccine caused issues with pregnancy or fertility. Vaccines also do NOT interact with your DNA in any way. According to the CDC, our DNA is housed in the nucleus of our cells, and the vaccine never enters these cells. Instead, it triggers your immune system to create antibodies that will fight COVID-19 and keep you from ever becoming infected. Or, if you do get sick, the vaccine will keep you from experiencing severe symptoms that are likely to result in hospitalization or death. While the vaccine can cause mild to moderate side effects like a sore arm, mild nausea, headache, or fatigue, it has yet to result in damaging health outcomes. Around the world, more than 600 million people have received the COVID-19 vaccine with great success and normal side effects. In extremely rare cases, some individuals had allergic reactions to the vaccine that resulted in severe side effects like shortness of breath, but this is, again, extremely rare. Most people report mild to moderate side effects and some report none at all. In any case, medical professionals will monitor your side effects after receiving the vaccine. If you do need medical attention, which is highly unlikely, this treatment is free and does not trigger a public charge if you are undocumented or uninsured.
Tax Filing Date Extended
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IVEN THE DIFFICULTIES caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) extended tax day for individuals to May 17, 2021. Individuals do not need to request an extension to qualify for this extension, unless they will be filing after the May 17th deadline. IMPORTANT NOTE: This extension only applies to individual federal income tax returns. State tax payments are still due on April 15, 2021.
EDD Update
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HE EMPLOYMENT Development Department (EDD) saw a massive influx of benefits claims as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020-2021 year rose to historic heights as the EDD accepted over 21 million claims from people across California. In order to accommodate the rise in applications, the EDD updated their systems and processes. You may still experience delays in your applications process and receiving benefits, but the department has undergone many modifications to try and make this process smoother. Visit the EDD website for more information on applying for unemployment, disability or paid family leave benefits: edd.ca.gov. **To view the site in Spanish, click the “Select Language” drop-down menu under “Translation” on the lower-right-hand side of the screen and select “Spanish.”
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies
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