How to Keep Latinos Safe from COVID-19

Join AARP Colorado for a vital discussion about the disparities of the state's Hispanic population in contracting COVID-19 and what we can do to keep our Latino communities safe with the help of local resources.

Currently, "Hispanic communities are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Comprising [about] 22 percent of the state’s population, Hispanics account for 37 percent of the cases and 50 percent of the hospitalizations—they have the highest case and hospitalization rates of any ethnic or racial group. This is likely a consequence of the large percentage of the community working in service and other essential jobs such as meatpacking and agriculture," according to the Colorado and Denver Departments of Public Health & Environment .

Sponsored by AARP and presented by PBS-12, AARP Colorado will discuss the impact of the Coronavirus on the state’s Hispanic population with the following experts:

• Dr Jonathan Alcantar—Assistant Professor in Mexican American Studies at the University of Northern Colorado. His research focuses on the intersections between Latinxs literature, folklore, and popular culture. He's currently working on a project that examines the effects of systematic racism and the COVID-19 pandemic on the representation of Latinx immigrant meatpacking workers.
• Emelin Martinez—Chief of Medical Staff, Valley Wide Health Systems. VWHS organizes clinical outreach, including COVID-19 testing for farm workers.
• Alex Sanchez or Jasmin Ramirez—Co-founders of Voces Unidas a latino advocacy group in the Roaring Fork Valley. Jasmin is a member of the Roaring Fork School District.
• Bob McDonald—Executive Director, Denver Public Health and the Environment.
• Roberto Rey—AARP Colorado Associate State Director.

Be sure to check back with us for the date and time of this program that will air on PBS-12 in August/September.