We can’t just order Americans back to work amid COVID-19. Let’s also protect them.

As states rush to reopen amid the continuing spread of the deadly coronavirus, they and the federal government should take extra precautions on behalf of the people our economy runs on: the caregivers, cooks, fast food employees, delivery drivers, service workers, hotel cleaning staffers, farm laborers, meat processors, corner store owners and the millions of others who work for hourly wages.

Many of these working-class Americans are people of color — or they are members of indigenous communities and vulnerable communities that are at heightened risk from COVID-19.

They deserved to be protected.

But the early signs are troubling: instead of providing workers with the protective equipment, testing and health care they need to safely return to work, states and politicians are gambling with their lives.

The attitude among some policymakers, politicians and business owners seems to be this: “We know people are going to test positive and we know people are going to die — but we absolutely must reopen the economy.”

This is incredibly shortsighted.

We must do more than simply order hard-working Americans back to their jobs with a mere virtual pat on the back.

We must do more than simply treat working people like sacrificial lambs being sent off to slaughter.

It’s noteworthy that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists who have been studying the impact of COVID-19 on the racial and ethnic groups of color have found a disproportionate burden of illness and death.

These are clearly some of the reasons for this:

▪ Underlying health conditions.

▪ A lack of health care coverage.

▪ Living in close quarters with others.

▪ Working in jobs — such as in the service industry — that require constant contact with the public, which in turn increases the risk of contracting COVID-19.

And African Americans are clearly under threat: according to one recent study, African Americans may be dying from COVID-19 more frequently than whites or other ethnic groups. Indeed, just consider these facts:

▪ While African Americans represent 13.4% of the U.S. population they make up more than 50% of COVID-19 cases and nearly 60% of the total deaths.

▪ In our state alone African Americans make up more than half of the South Carolinians who have died from COVID-19.

One major concern is the link between COVID-19 and air pollution: even before the COVID-19 pandemic, research revealed that the burden from air pollution falls more heavily on poorer people and people of color. Meanwhile, a recent Harvard study found that even a small increase in soot causes more people to die from COVID-19.

This is particularly an issue for low-income communities and people of color who tend to live closer to congested highways, power plants, refineries and other pollution sources.

That’s why state and federal agencies should provide workers with:

▪ Health screenings at the workplace.

▪ Masks, gloves and other protective clothing.

▪ Frequent tests for the virus.

▪ Financial help if they must quarantine after becoming sick — or after being exposed to a sick co-worker.

As a state representative who works with other African American lawmakers in the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, I am pleased by our group’s initiative to address longtime issues that plague communities of color.

Last year environmental justice and national environmental groups signed onto the Equitable and Just National Climate Platform to work together to reduce contributors to climate change and improve the health and well-being of all communities. These new partnerships can help connect the dots between air pollution and illness — and between access to the halls of power and access to medical care.

On the national level advocates for racial, economic and environmental justice can work together for additional funding for telemedicine, mobile health clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and community health centers — and they can also advocate for national policies to reduce air pollution.

All of these measures are needed to protect the very people who will help make our economy and our GDP strong again.

Let’s work together to rebuild from COVID-19.

State Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter represents House District 66. She is also president of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

This story was originally published May 23, 2020 at 11:26 AM.