20200422-2A part 2: COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing — original pdf

Recommendation

JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02A Subject: Support of Hispanic/Latino American Quality of Life Commission Resolution 20200410-003a: COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing Motioned By: Solis Seconded By: Orlowski Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports Hispanic/Latino American Quality of Life Commission Resolution 20200410-003a: COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austin, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 1 of 3  BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200410-003a - COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing WHEREAS, early COVID-19 data around the nation indicates that the coronavirus is disproportionally impacting Latino/Hispanic and African Americans; and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanic and African American 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 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life 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, 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 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life 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. Date of Approval: April 10, 2020 Record of the vote: (I.e. Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, 1 abstained – Commissioner Sharon Vigil). 2 of 3  Attest: (Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Staff Liaison) 3 of 3