The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an enormous toll on communities around the world. The greatest burden has undeniably been born by Black, Indiginous Communities of Color that have experiences greater losses in life and livelihoods, particularly among older adults, their families and caregivers, and residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities. 

What CEJC has done: 

• Sounded the alarm about nursing home employees spreading COVID by working at multiple homes and called for paid sick time, subsidies, and a livable wage for these crucial workers.   
• Highlighted the disproportionate burden COVID has inflicted on Black, Indigenous, People of Color and called for recovery efforts that address the conditions that heighten risk.
• Pointed out systemic failures, fueled by ageism, that make matters worse, such as rollbacks in nursing home regulations on staffing and infection control.
• Spoke out against nursing home providers’ calls for blanket immunity that would protect bad actors with histories of providing poor care.
• Joined our partners in stopping draconian, shortsighted cuts to home-based care that would have relegated older adults to facilities that cost more and raise their risk of getting sick.  

Advocating for a Justice-Based Response and Recovery

• Testimony to joint oversight hearing: The COVID-19 Outbreak in Skilled Nursing Facilities and the State's Response:  A discussion of what has worked, what has not, and what are plans for the future? (June 9, 2020)
• Letter to California legislators opposing the elimination of safety net services in response to COVID-19 (May 25, 2020)
• Letter to Governor Newsom opposing long-term care facilities' request for blanket immunity (May 13, 2020) 
• Letter to Governor Newsom on the spread of COVID-19 by long-term care employees who work in multiple facilities (April 13, 2020)

COVID-19 Resources

• The U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative has created a COVID-19 flyer for law enforcement.  Please share with your law enforcement contacts.
• Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response. Produced by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Framework is based on the following principles: 
  • Advancing racial justice and equity
  • Addressing the highest needs first
  • Getting people into housing 
  • Building strong partnerships
  • See Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response