COVID-19 Risks Elements for Homelessness.

COVID-19 Risks Elements for Homelessness. 

People who experience homelessness live temporarily in outdoor places. The number of homeless people increases significantly in the streets. Outdoor settings do not protect the environment, an agile approach to hygiene and sanitation facilities, or connection to healthcare. Some homeless people live in tents, woods, under mountains of blankets by themselves. As far as I know, there is no plan in place to quarantine homeless people. Staying without a home or sleeping in a temporary location is very harmful to health. Homeless people typically have many complex health issues, such as mental health and addiction problems. People who experience homelessness deal with barriers connecting health care as well as public health information. They lack immune systems, poor nutrition and cleanliness, and long-term residence in overcrowded shelters; they are at risk of getting contagious diseases. The fact is that homeless people are more likely to be infected with Tuberculosis than familiar people. Mainly, they are a vulnerable group in the current COVID pandemic. However, The governors across the country have issued a stay at home for residents not to go out during the coronavirus crisis. The main goal of social distancing is to reduce the number of people who get sick. Some public places are closing down shelters. Therefore, it is not a realistic prospect for homeless people. This issue is not addressed; they can leave out from the public policy reaction to the pandemic. Transmission from these high-risk people is also challenging to contain. Helping homeless people is an essential element of managing the broader public health crisis.

A homeless woman who wished to remain anonymous wears a mask as she prepares her belongings on Sunday, March 15, 2020, in San Francisco, California.Photo: Photos by Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle

Posted by: Vy Le, Portland State University

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