@AliciaFMD , @MarleneMartinMD , @KBibbinsDomingo experiences caring for Latinx people with COVID-19 in SF.
At our county hospital, patients with COVID-19 are overwhelmingly Latinx Spanish speakers. Why? (a thread)

Latinx is SF predominantly low wage workers. No work means no food or rent. Additionally, many are in essential jobs like restaurant, delivery, janitors, warehouse workers. If you have to work, can't social distance.

Patient example: Crying, a patient called me for a medication for her non-COVID cough. "If they see me cough, they might tell me to go home, then how would my family survive?"

Second: Difficult to isolate with active disease when you live in crowded shared housing (most expensive housing market in the US). Telling people to use separate room or bathrooms is not an option.

Third: Fear of financial and immigration consequences if seeking testing or health care. Mixed messages re public charge and ICE.

What to do? Public health 101. Direct testing messages at this population. Set up testing tents in the Mission and give our surgical/cloth masks/cleaning supplies.

Educate merchants via community based organizations. Prioritize physical distance in stores, food pantries and food lines, and other areas