NEW YORK (1010 WINS) In New York City, one in every 200 children has lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19 — over twice the national rate of one in every 450 children who lost caregivers, according to a study from advocacy group COVID Collaborative.
The same study found that children of color are far more likely to lose a caregiver to COVID than white children.
Black children are 3.3 times as likely to lose a caregiver than their white peers in New York City. Asian children are 2.7 times as likely, and Latino children are 2.6 times as likely.
Here too, the city outpaces the nation. Black children nationwide are about two times more likely to lose a caregiver to coronavirus for example, compared to New York City’s rate of 3.3 times the likelihood.
“This alarming report shows that Black and Hispanic children are more than twice as likely to have lost a parent or caregiver due to the pandemic,” said Janet Murguia, CEO of the Latino advocacy group UnidosUS.
“The consequences of these losses are devastating and can last for a lifetime. It is critically important for them and for our country’s future to support a comprehensive response that will help restore their social, economic, and emotional health and well-being as quickly as possible,” she continued.
The pandemic has killed over 40,000 people in New York City, and roughly 8,600 children have lost a caregiver due to those deaths, according to data collected by COVID Collaborative and published by THE CITY.
Almost one million Americans have died from coronavirus, and the report found over 214,000 children have lost caregivers nationwide.
Losing a caregiver can foment depression and anxiety, negatively impact children’s ability to form relationships and hurt academic and professional performance, according to Psychiatrist and Psychoanalyst Dr. Grant H. Brenner. The impacts of such a far-reaching tragedy will be felt for years to come.
“Children and teens have been greatly impacted from so much loss and are at risk psychologically, physically and spiritually,” said Annette March-Grier, the president and co-founder of family grief support center Roberta’s House. “America needs to come together to support this vulnerable population that represents so much potential for the future.”
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