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Worker Perspectives on COVID-19 Risks: A Qualitative Study of Latino Construction Workers in Oakland, California

Authors :
Erika Meza
Leslie Giglio
Ana O. Franco
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Laura Stock
John Balmes
Jacqueline M. Torres
Alicia Fernandez
Source :
International journal of environmental research and public health, vol 19, iss 16, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Volume 19; Issue 16; Pages: 9822
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Latino construction workers in the U.S. have faced a disproportionate risk for COVID-19 infection in the workplace. Prior studies have focused on quantifying workplace risk for COVID-19 infection; few have captured workers’ experiences and perspectives. This study describes COVID-19-related workplace risks from the perspectives of Latino construction workers. We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured phone interviews with Latino construction workers from the Fruitvale District of Oakland, California. Twenty individuals were interviewed from December 2020 to March 2021. Nearly all participants (19/20) were Spanish-speaking men; mean age 42.6 years. The majority were low-income and over one-third did not have health insurance. Participants worked in varied construction-related jobs ranging from demolition to office work; additionally, four were day laborers, and three belonged to a labor union. We identified four major themes with public health policy and workplace safety implications: (1) Major concern about the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for family health and economic wellbeing; (2) Clarity about mask use and social distancing but not disclosure; (3) Variability in access to additional resources provided by employers; and (4) Uncertainty around structural support for SARS-CoV-2 quarantine/isolation. Our findings provide further evidence from workers’ own perspectives of the major gaps experienced during the pandemic in workplace protections and resources.

Details

ISSN :
16604601
Volume :
19
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....832ca959ff0e93bef8ee6a53a1dc78f7
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169822