Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE)

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Communities of the Northern United States

This paper aims to take a closer look at the global and local effects of COVID-19 and the impacts that it has had on those of various economic standings while taking a sharper look at those just above or below the poverty line. At the time of this writing COVID-19 has become one of the most talked about issues sweeping the entire world. Many economists have taken note of this and proceed to dig into the effects that this will have on the less fortunate populace. Most of the academic papers that will be focused on in this paper will take a look at the unemployment rate fluctuations among various races and ethnicities, those with various job statuses and availability of work options to avoid infection, illustrating the disparities between these groups and of those who reported, who were hit the hardest. While there are still a plethora of programs that aim to aid these individuals during times of need, it hasn’t been enough to properly leave an impact, especially in light of this epidemic. Surveys have shown that while there has been new aid administered to the populace to ease the economic whiplash from the lockdown last year, these aids aren’t nearly enough to properly provide to those who are at their worst, only making enough of an impact being shown on those in better economic standings. These findings will help paint a proper picture of the misfortune that COVID-19 has brought upon those in and outside of poverty.