The Frontline Response: Local Latino Leaders Address COVID-19

On May 12, UnidosUS hosted a town hall highlighting the work of two Latino mayors in the coronavirus relief effort.

Moderated by Univision news anchor León Krauze, UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía was joined by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

UnidosUS has been working hard to demonstrate the need for inclusive relief in CARES Act 2.0. While the first CARES Act was a start, many Latino families have been shut out of relief altogether, or lack access to programs and services that would help them put food on the table or keep their families healthy.

Millions of Latinos work in the transportation and travel and service industries and are half as likely to be able to work from home as all other Americans. They are also overrepresented in essential jobs where they are more likely to be exposed to the coronavirus. And most worryingly of all, Latinos continue to be overrepresented among the sick and dying.

During the conversation, both Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and Mayor Regina Romero of Tucson, Ariz., detailed the difficult decisions that they have had to make in order to prioritize the health and well-being of their residents.

In both communities, there are many families who were shut out of the CARES Act because of their immigrant status or the status of a family member. Both mayors spoke about the funds they’d created in order to help families as well as small businesses.

Romero and Garcetti urged the community to take this crisis as a transformative moment, and UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía urged everyone during the conversation not to forget that amidst the pandemic, the census and elections are still taking place—and that now is the time to raise our voices about the leaders we want in our communities.

Millions of Latinos work in the transportation and travel and service industries and are half as likely to be able to work from home as all other Americans. They are also overrepresented in essential jobs where they are more likely to be exposed to the coronavirus. And most worryingly of all, Latinos continue to be overrepresented among the sick and dying.

Here are a few resources Mayor Garcetti shared with us during the call:

• Todos pertenecen en Los Angeles durante la crisis de Coronavirus Facebook Video (Spanish)
• A City of Belonging during the COVID-19 crisis Facebook Video (English)
• Mayor Garcetti’s webpage for COVID-19 orders, resources, and more: Corona-virus.la

And here are resources shared by Mayor Romero:

• Mayor Romero established the “We Are One: Somos Uno” resiliency fund to provide financial assistance to local businesses, non-profits, and direct support to individuals and families.
• This Spanish PSA encourages residents to closely follow CDC guidelines and stay home as much as possible