20200504-04bi: COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing — original pdf

Recommendation

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200504-04bi: Joint Recommendation for COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing with Hispanic/Latino QOL Commission Recommendation (20200410-1) WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and WHEREAS, early COVID-19 data around the nation indicates that the coronavirus is disproportionally impacting African Americans and Latino/Hispanic and; and WHEREAS, African American and Latino/Hispanic populations are often on the front lines of exposure to the pandemic and less likely to have health insurance and access to transportation, which complicates the ability to seek treatment for illnesses; and WHEREAS, mass loss of employment and financial strain has worsened food and resource insecurity and increased the urgent need for food resources. WHEREAS, the Austin community values equity and ensuring that all our vulnerable communities are protected and sufficiently served NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable testing of COVID-19 Austin prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. Equitable testing includes geographic equity in location of testing sites, including the addition of Givens Park as a testing site for 78723/21 zip codes, the use of community health workers to conduct mobile testing and contact tracing, distribution of personal protective equipment to community health workers and other frontline staff, and equitable services in care and recovery from COVID-19. All testing and treatment should incorporate racial and ethnic data collection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable access to mobile social service and food distribution sites prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. In the interest of equity as well as public health, food distribution should be decentralized through the use of neighborhood centers and other methods of mobile distribution opposed to just the Central Texas Food Bank and current existing methods. In order to achieve this, the City of Austin should look to receive recommendations on processes and locations from the Social Services Branch of the Emergency Operations Center and local community groups. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that these funds should not come out of the $15M RISE fund. I affirm this recommendation was approved by the African American Resource Advisory Commission. ____________________________ Daryl Horton, AARAC Chair May 4, 2020 _______________ Date