Infographics created by Samir Gambhir
Our collection of infographics helps visualize the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on working people and renters in California. The infographics reveal a correlation of infections and unemployment claims; the proportion of racial groups who work in "non-essential" industries which have been shuttered; and show the proportion of renters by race.
1. COVID-19 cases and weekly unemployment claims
This infographic reveals a positive correlation between the number of reported COVID-19 cases worldwide and the number of unemployment claims in California over the months of March, April and beginning of May. The number of unemployment claims that were filed in California over a three-week period from mid-March to early April is roughly equal to those filed the previous 52 weeks. In February before the economic crisis hit, the unemployment rate for California stood at about 4.3 percent. Now in the crisis, the state is approaching a 15 percent jobless rate.
2. "Non-essential" industries and their workforce by race
This infographic breaks down some of the industries considered "non-essential" for operation during the current pandemic, and the racial makeup of those industries' workforce. It reveals that Latinos overwhelmingly make up the workforce in these industries, which include food preparation and service; installation, maintenance, and repair work; personal care; and construction. It thus suggests that Latinos may be the hardest impacted by the crisis in terms of job losses in real numbers as their industries have ground to a halt.
3. Renters by race in California
One of the most concerning aspects of the COVID-19 crisis and its economic effects is what this will mean for people being laid off or receiving reduced salaries and their ability to continue paying rent. The March 27 federal government stimulus package offered protections to homeowners who have taken out federally-backed loans for their mortgage payments. However, renters remain vulnerable, with policies on evictions due to nonpayment varying from city-to-city. This infographic shows that in California, about 66 percent of African Americans, 56 percent of Latinos, 41 percent of Asians and 37 percent of whites are renters, and thus more at-risk of eviction.
4. COVID-19 impacts everyone
No one is immune to the coronavirus. People of all races, genders, and other groups are getting sick from the disease, as this infographic emphasizes. However, early data from some major cities in the United States are showing a disproportionate impact on African Americans in terms of infection and death. For example, 68 percent of coronavirus deaths in Chicago have been among African Americans, even though they account for less than one-third of the city's population. Similar statistics are being recorded in Louisiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Early race-based data on coronavirus cases in California is showing similar patterns.
