Safetynet populations in South Carolina make up a disproportionate amount of the service sector compared to other populations. According to the CDC, nearly a quarter of employed Hispanic and black or African American workers are employed in service industry jobs compared to only 16% of non-Hispanic whites. Service jobs include working in fast food, gas stations, on farms, construction workers, custodians, bus drivers, and much more.  

 

Sadly, many of these vital jobs are not supplying enough PPE or Personal Protective Equipment to their employees. Some examples of PPE that should be provided are: 

• Masks 

• Gloves 

• Hand sanitizer 

• Shields at registers  

 

The lack of these necessary supplies is taking a toll on service workers. Many feel as though essential workers are being exploited due to the low salaries they receive, which is often less than $15/ hour.  In addition, many frontline workers don’t have adequate savings and often don’t have the opportunity to practice safe social distancing by working from home or taking paid sick leave.  

 

Data also shows that over ⅓ of frontline workers have family care obligations, like taking care of a parent or child, and another ⅓ come from low income families. This means that a vast majority of South Carolina’s safetynet population is working full time during the pandemic while also trying to balance their role as caregivers, a task that is increasingly more difficult with nurseries and daycare centers closed.  

 

The burden that essential service workers face is reflected in the rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and death rates. A clear connection can be drawn to higher exposure to the virus and the safetynet population that performs these essential roles. Therefore, it is vital to address the problems that exist in the essential businesses and protect safetynet populations from COVID-19.